New Sound. Screech and Tap from the front????

[ProjectM96]

Problem 1:
I was driving my car. Pulled into my driveway. Went back to the car 1 hour later. After I drove 1 block I started to hear a squealing noise that sounded like the brakes. Within 100 feet of driving it got much louder and constant, then came a tapping/scraping type noise. This happens in neutral, gas, engine on or off, and on brake slowing down.

My friend got out of the car and I let my car roll down a hill in neutral while the engine was off so we can listen into where the sound was coming from. It was very loud. It was coming from the front driver wheel area. I looked under the car and at the brakes but saw nothing.

Here is the tricky part. I drove the car in reverse 5 feet. No noise. I went back into 1st gear and and drove forward, the noise was completely gone. So somehow going in reverse fixed the problem. I did not get a chance to record the sound. I drove the car another mile with no problems so I am assuming I somehow fixed it. For now..

Has anyone experienced something similar? The car drives great and the brakes/rotors are great with plenty of life in them. Wheels are on tight. The sound was loud and it almost sounded like metal was being cut. I am hoping it is not something dangerous. Inner tie rod was replaced 4000 miles ago, but I don't think that makes a sound.


Problem 2: First time driving my car after it has been garaged for 1.5 months. Started up great. As I was pulling out of the driveway after I let the engine warm up, it made the funniest sound. Like a scared little girl, my car went "eek". It sounded exactly like a girl saying "eek" That split second high pitched sound. It never happened again. Wondering if it is a sign that something is going bad. I had the clutch engaged halfway as I was accelerating out of the driveway when it happened. Might be related.

[Burg Boxster]

problem #1 - likely rock caught between brake shield. going in reverse released it - has happened to many before

problem #2 - my guess would be serpentine belt slippage or some such. take off top and/or front engine cover, check rollers, belt and look for any weeping from water pump. also check power steering fluid level.

good luck

[jcb986]

problem #1 - likely rock caught between brake shield. going in reverse released it - has happened to many before

Sounds like the problem to me too. Had a 64' Chevelle SS and one day I turn a corner and had a popping noise. It took 2 weeks and what I found was a small rock, wedged between the frame and body. Once I removed it, so disappeared the sound.

[ProjectM96]

Yeah I also thought it might be a rock but my friend was carefully looking at the wheel and under the car while I was reversing and he said nothing fell.

For the second problem. It is definitely not the belts. The belts sound completely different from what I heard. It wasn't a belt screeching type sound.