Bizarre squealing/scratching noise from front wheels

TiAg335i · 02-27-2007, 07:37 PM

Well, mainly it sounded like it was coming from the front left of the car. Really hope it wasn't the engine

So I got out of my parking space today, and I slowed for a speed bump when I heard this AWFUL high pitched squealing/scratching (like nails on a chalkboard) coming from my front wheels. I immediately pulled over for 5min and decided to continue home. When I pulled out the noise was completely gone...The squealing lasted for about 4-5 seconds...Whats the deal??

Bimmerista · 02-27-2007, 09:45 PM

Maybe just dirt on the inside part of your shock - here with winter salt/slush/dust it happens to me at times (not as much of a screach as you describe though) when going over speed bumps in my garage at work. It goes away on its own - I guess the dirst rubs off....

mds82 · 02-28-2007, 11:31 AM

could be your brakes just tensing up for a few seconds. The brakes on these cars to tense up every once in a while to make sure that the brake pads and rotors are clean and dry.

ezatnova · 02-28-2007, 11:45 AM

Probably rotor rust. They can rust up in a matter of hours from ambient humidity. The first time you brake after that, it will be louder and very grabby. Then all gone.
I also agree with the possibity of the shock tube having grime on it. My car is doing that now since it's winter with all the salt on the roads.

skins · 02-28-2007, 11:55 AM

Yes, I did encounter the exact same painfull sounds! Sounded like a train moving slowly over a crossing..turned out that with all the Gravel on the road small rocks can become lodged in the brake areas jamming things up resulting in the high pitch squeals...Just hit the brakes hard in reverse then forward and you clear things out.

This works..

TiAg335i · 02-28-2007, 12:04 PM

I think you guys hit it on the head..I was getting sick of all the sand they use at my lot and a few hours before I rinsed out my wheel wells. I then went back and parked it at school for a few hours. I came back and it was night and then I heard the squealing..

I am guessing some sort of rust developed like the above posted mentioned..The brake rotors look fine and there are no gouges.

bimmerchild · 02-28-2007, 12:12 PM

do you have spacers? Same thing happened and I had to take them off...

02-27-2007, 07:37 PM	#1
TiAg335i Trance Life 315 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (4)	Bizarre squealing/scratching noise from front wheels Well, mainly it sounded like it was coming from the front left of the car. Really hope it wasn't the engine So I got out of my parking space today, and I slowed for a speed bump when I heard this AWFUL high pitched squealing/scratching (like nails on a chalkboard) coming from my front wheels. I immediately pulled over for 5min and decided to continue home. When I pulled out the noise was completely gone...The squealing lasted for about 4-5 seconds...Whats the deal?? Last edited by TiAg335i; 02-27-2007 at 07:55 PM..
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02-27-2007, 09:45 PM	#2
Bimmerista Major General 83 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Maybe just dirt on the inside part of your shock - here with winter salt/slush/dust it happens to me at times (not as much of a screach as you describe though) when going over speed bumps in my garage at work. It goes away on its own - I guess the dirst rubs off.... __________________ __________________________ 2016 435 xdrive GC white on black leather interior, Msport1, Msport2, premium package 2015 Lincoln MKX, silver on brown leather, premium package - that's right! Techno-Groovy baby
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02-28-2007, 11:31 AM	#3
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	could be your brakes just tensing up for a few seconds. The brakes on these cars to tense up every once in a while to make sure that the brake pads and rotors are clean and dry.
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02-28-2007, 11:45 AM	#4
ezatnova Colonel 97 Rep 2,188 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (5)	Probably rotor rust. They can rust up in a matter of hours from ambient humidity. The first time you brake after that, it will be louder and very grabby. Then all gone. I also agree with the possibity of the shock tube having grime on it. My car is doing that now since it's winter with all the salt on the roads.
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02-28-2007, 11:55 AM	#5
skins CAG 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sparkling G. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta iTrader: (0)	Yes, I did encounter the exact same painfull sounds! Sounded like a train moving slowly over a crossing..turned out that with all the Gravel on the road small rocks can become lodged in the brake areas jamming things up resulting in the high pitch squeals...Just hit the brakes hard in reverse then forward and you clear things out. This works.. __________________ E90- 325i Prem pkg/Sport pkg/Sparkling G/loaded/Blk Dakota leather:heated/park cntrl
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02-28-2007, 12:04 PM	#6
TiAg335i Trance Life 315 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (4)	I think you guys hit it on the head..I was getting sick of all the sand they use at my lot and a few hours before I rinsed out my wheel wells. I then went back and parked it at school for a few hours. I came back and it was night and then I heard the squealing.. I am guessing some sort of rust developed like the above posted mentioned..The brake rotors look fine and there are no gouges.
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02-28-2007, 12:12 PM	#7
bimmerchild Private First Class 11 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 06 330iSport Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	do you have spacers? Same thing happened and I had to take them off... __________________ 08 BMW 335i Cabrio ED (June 2008 - yes - managed to sell the first and do another ED) 07 BMW 335i Cabrio ED (May 2007) 06 SG 330i - SP - Stick - sold 03 BMW 325cic - retired - 04 MB c230K - retired - girl's car...
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