Squeaking/creaking noise when stopping at slow speeds

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Due to having the tires replaced recently, you may have a balance issue. Tires are "balanced" in a process where they spin the wheel on a machine and make sure they turn evenly. Any issues are corrected by adding weights to certain parts of the tire. The tires may have been improperly balanced, or may not have been balanced at all. You should start there, and see if the issues is resolved. When they have the wheels off, have a technician check the brakes. Make sure the pads were properly installed and are in place. Between the two inspections and any possible corrections, the issue would go away. If the noises continue, you will want to have the wheel assemblies inspected.

ANSWER : Hi there:

Diagnosing ’noises’ remotely is one of the more difficult things to do for any mechanic. However, there are a few things which could cause this noise, ranging from loose motor mounts, loose serpentine or drive belt, pulley’s or even wheel or front end suspension issues. The best way to diagnose any problem is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is making a noise inspection; so they can ride with you to attempt and replicate the noise; which will help them pinpoint the source of the noise and recommend the right repairs be completed.

ANSWER : Hi there – most likely, the "thunk" you describe is coming from a weak or failed motor mount. It is allowing the engine to move about when you apply the accelerator pedal, and the engine is hitting something in the engine compartment. I recommend an engine mount inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, confirm this diagnosis, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The last technicians that worked on your vehicle are not wrong. There are certain types of brake pads that will make a squealing noise when the brakes are applied. These are typically made from a metal composite material. You can always research the brand they put on and find out more about the brake pads. This would give you a good idea of what you should reasonably expect. Are the brakes exhibiting any other types of symptoms? If there is any sponginess in the pedal, shaking or vibrating, hard stops, or other symptoms then there may be more cause for concern. In situations like these, if you are expecting to drive the vehicle a longer distance in the near future, it is recommended that you get a second opinion. Our technicians can dispatch to your home or office.

ANSWER : If you are driving at 120 mph, it is possible that your vehicle is hitting the speed governer. This speed governer will prevent the vehicle from going past a certain speed by limiting engine power and reducing rpms. Not all vehicles are set to the same speed. The speed is usually determined by the speed rating of the tires that the vehicle came with from the factory. This is to prevent vehicles from driving at speeds faster than the tires allow even if they have enough power to do so.

ANSWER : Hi there. The leading cause of brakes squealing after replacing the pads is excessive brake dust trapped between the caliper and the rotor. Typically when brake jobs are completed, a professional mechanic will spray brake cleaner liberally on the calipers and rotor to remove any brake dust that has embedded in between the two components. If this is not completed, the extra brake dust will be trapped between the fresh pad and the rotor. When heated, it can create an annoying squeaking noise. The best way to resolve this issue is to remove the tires, place a drip pan under the hub and spray brake cleaner along the caliper and the rotor. Let it dry for a few minutes then reinstall the tire, torque it down correctly and test the brakes. If this does not resolve your problem you might want to have one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a brake system inspection.

ANSWER : Hi there. First off, you have my favorite year of Corvette – the 62’ is awesome! Second, the brake squeaking issue is likely due to excessive brake dust collected in between the rotor and the pad or perhaps a wheel bearing that is starting to show early signs of normal wear and tear. It’s also possible that the pad is lightly dragging on the rotor. This can be caused by excessive brake pressure or a caliper or brake booster that is not working correctly. The best thing to do is spray off the front wheels and behind the wheel first, to knock off any excessive brake dust to see the noise goes away on it’s own. If it does not or the noise is progressively getting worse, have a professional mechanic complete a car is making a noise inspection, so they can try and replicate the noise and pinpoint it’s source, so the right repairs can be made.

ANSWER : From what you describe it is the front wheel bearings in the front hubs that need replaced. You should also check the tires for uneven wear and need for tire rotation or alignment issues causing uneven tire wear.