If you're talking about the screws in the rotors, don't worry; they aren't needed (as the lug nuts push the wheel into the rotor, securing it in place).

If you happen to read this before you pull everything apart, check out the shims on the back of the pad. If you can easily slide them from side to side with your hand, they're too loose (which can cause a squeal. But it shouldn't cause a squeal when the brakes aren't being applied.), and you can tighten them up by taking them off and bending the tabs a little so it fits the pad a little more snugly. The same goes for the shims on the pad holder/caliper bracket. If you can see little shiny marks where the pad goes, chances are the shims need bent a little so they fit the pad holder a little tighter.

Also, definitely check the heat shields behind the rotors. If a rock or anything like that gets stuck between the rotor and heat shield, it will cause a squeal/grind.

 

I still say wheel bearing. Unless its actually getting really bad, driving faster wouldnt make it louder, while added wind and motor noise would start to drown its sound out.

 

*long sigh of disappointment*

reaper-

couldn't get the rotors off to save my life. two caliper bolts just would't budge. soaked them in WD-40 all day to no avail. looks like i'm going to either have to take it somewhere or see if I can find someone willing to let me use their lift as i couldn't get enough clearance to turn the socket.

put new pads on since i had the caliper apart anyway and identical issue persists.

thanks a ton for the help. is there any way to send some kind of feedback to a user to improve status? just let me know what i can do.

thanks again.

plethoric33 -

thanks for the recommendation. the only thing that's keeping me from suspecting the bearing is that its a very distinct cease when the noise becomes inaudible. instead of gradually getting quieter as speed increases, it remains constant until i'm rolling along at about 45mph, then i quickly pump the brake and all at once the noise stops. i just keep coming back to a combination between a malfunctioning caliper and/or bad rotor. but trust me - if i'm able to get someone to let me use a lift i'm definitely going to check the bearing anyway. would definitely be worth the peace of mind.

thanks, man

 

Try getting a box wrench and a hammer (a soft-blow or something that won't damage the wrench too much. Unless you don't mind hurting a wrench lol) and try hitting the wrench to break the bolts loose. Just remember if you're outside the wheel well, things will be reversed, so you'll feel like you're tightening the bolt when you're actually loosening it (or at least that's what I feel like every time I do a brake job lol). I assume you're talking about the ones that hold the caliper bracket in place?

And no problem. We don't have a user feedback system... to be honest, I'm not sure why we don't, I never really thought about it lol

And at this point, I'm kind of starting to side with plethoric about the wheel bearing. It should get more noticeable at higher speeds, but if it's just starting to go out, it wouldn't be loud enough to be heard over road/wind/engine noise at highway speeds. Did you check the heat shields to make sure nothing was caught between them and the rotors?

(and no problem... we're here to help )

 

wow... you're walking along... minding your own business... and then WHAM!! a HUGE case of idiot-itis comes out of NOWHERE and smacks you right in the ol' thinker... (unfortunately there's no strength of tylenol sufficient to cure this disease).

I would have put $100 on the problem coming from the FRONT passenger brakes but, when changing lanes a few days ago, i turned my head to employ the periphery to check the rear and could almost SEE the sound waves coming from the rear passenger wheel...

replaced pads, bled lines, got some fried chicken and BAM... problem solved. (please note that this resolution calls for DOT 4 chicken only). an oil change and 4 new tires later, i feel like a new man.

all-in-all, i seem to have merely found myself at the intersection of a limited budget and a poor assumption.

reaper, i really appreciate all of your help. if anything's to be gained, i definitely learned a lot from researching the wheel bearing possibility and have a drawer full of fun, new tools to tackle the issue should it ever arise. thanks again and hope to see you around the forum soon.