I have a 1990 honda accord dx and there is a light grinding/squeeling sound comming from the front of my car when it is cold. I have checked the breaks recentley and they are fine.
The sound starts when I start moving then stops after a few seconds. Then if I press the break pedal, the sound starts and stops after a few seconds.
The outer CV boots on the front are ripped i noticed. Could dry axles be creating this sound? If not that, what else could it be?

 

Well torn Cv Boots will not help the problem but with dry axles it would be more of a popping sound while turning, not sure about a grinding/squeeling sound, you said you checked the metal "spring" on the top of the caliper it is what holds the brake pads down on the rotor. The reason I ask is because I had this exact problem a few months back with a squeeling sound and I came to find out that the "spring" on the inside top of the caliper had broken and was rubbing on the top of the rotor creating a squeeling sound. Just an idea to look at I have a 91 accord so we are in the same generation, have heard it is a popular thing to happen to our cars. If this is the problem the part is only 10 $ from honda and must be ordered from them takes 10 minutes at the most to repair.
Let me know if you need any more help I will help you out as much as possible..
91AccordCoupe

 

Thanks for the help. I will check that spring issue tomorow. Sux that I have to get the CV boots repaired anyway though.

 

yea just don't wait to long on the boots or you will have to replace the whole Cv shaft and that is the true B*tch~
Good luck and keep me posted~

 

chances are if the boots are ripped, all the grease has come out already... it only takes a little while to get all or most of it out. When you are driving in a parking lot or something, make very sharp turns... turning the steering wheel till it stops... if you hear a popping or clunking noise from either of the front corners of the car, the shafts are shot... Try to notice which side the sound is comming from if its not both sides. My guess is that the shafts are shot though.


The grinding/squealing noise can be a number of things... you said you checked the brakes... what does that mean? Did you inspect ALL the pads (not just the outter pads, but the inners too), sometimes the slider bolts for the caliper get froze up so the caliper dosent move anymore, making the pads wear unevenly... if the inner pad is worn excessivly the wear indicator maybe starting to rub on the rotor. This is just a small piece attached to the brake pad that starts rubbing on the rotor when the pads need to be changed.

Also, check the brake shields... sometimes rocks may hit them and make them rub against the rotors... thats simple to fix, just bend the shield back.

You may have a broken brake pad...

check the wheel bearings... they can make all sorts of noises when they start to go bad... a good check for this is to grab the tire and force it side to side, as if you were trying to turn the steering... if the wheel has any play in it (other than the steering itself), the wheel bearing is bad.