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This problem came up tonight driving home in traffic. I'm suddenly getting this squealing noise from what I'm assuming is the rear end. Being in the car, a moving car at that, its hard to pinpoint the noise.

I can't seem to replicate these noises on demand and seem to arise intermittently. I'm assuming the bearings are on the way out...What are the signs of wheel bearings going out?

I would check your brake pads first. Many pads have a wear indicator that 'squeels' when the pads are getting low.

Could also be your rear brakes sticking if one of the slider pins has not been lubricated as part of regular maintenance...

If the bearings are on their way out the wheel hub will get quite hot...

J

Juffa wrote:I would check your brake pads first. Many pads have a wear indicator that 'squeels' when the pads are getting low.

Could also be your rear brakes sticking if one of the slider pins has not been lubricated as part of regular maintenance...

If the bearings are on their way out the wheel hub will get quite hot...

J

I will check brake pads, but I'm sure they still have lots of meat left in them, so I'm pretty sure its not the brakes but its worth checking out and will do so tomorrow.
If its a brake issue, wouldn't it appear everytime I step on it hard enough to engage the rear brakes?

Could be a tail shaft universal joint or a drive shaft CV joint.

Szemen wrote: If its a brake issue, wouldn't it appear everytime I step on it hard enough to engage the rear brakes?

The rear brakes could be slow to retract if the slider pins are dry, causing the pads to rub for a short time when you release the brakes. It might not happen every time you use the brakes..but it will get worse unless the slider pins are lubricated. When you check the pads look for uneven wear. I had the driver side rear brake lock on a previous 5. The pad was worn next to nothing at one end, while the other end was barely used.

J

I had a squeal from the front of mine the other week, pulled off the wheel and though maybe the brakes, but no there was plenty of meat, but everytime I turned the front wheel a squeal.

On further investigation there was the smallest rock lodged between the disk and the inside guard plate , and when I turned the wheel it squealed. pushed the plate back the rock fell out no more squeal.
Cheers
Old Dude

bearings are more of a droning noise. Does it happen more on turns, straights or is random?

On further investigation there was the smallest rock lodged between the disk and the inside guard plate

I had a similar incident coming back from a club weekend trip away last year. I went around a roundabout and suddenly the car started making a horrible squealing noise. I pulled over to have a look but there was nothing obvious. I jiggled one of the dust shields on the back of the rotors and a small rock fell out. All fixed.

With the small rock...did it make the noise ALL the time??

I finally did a bit of driving in it today and found that when it does appear, which is rarley, maybe for 30seconds in an hours trip. To rid of it, i hard brake or pull the handbrake VERY slightly....

That seems to narrow it down a bit. I'd look at the rear brake pads and lubrication of the slider pins.

yes it squealed all of the time. Maybe as JBT said check the back brakes?