Chirping noise

JBYLER13

MEMBER
1999 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
86,000 MILES

Just got my brakes worked on and now when I accelrate I hear a sound like that of a bird chirping. It is coming from the front of the car. It only happens when I accelerate and usually doesn't start until after driving the car for a few minutes. If I hit the brakes the sound stops until I hit the gas again. If I am in park or neutral and push the pedal I do not hear the sound. Only when I am in gear and accelerating. 99 Ford escort.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,870 POSTS

Have your mechanic recheck his work. Your description sounds like there could be a combination of things, especially if it just started with the brake job. First, the front rotors should be checked for "lateral runout" on the car with a dial indicator. If it is more than a few thousandths of an inch, he accidentally machined a warp into them, which is easy to do, the new rotors are slightly warped, which is not uncommon, or some rust or other debris got stuck between the rotor and hub and is making the rotor and wheel wobble. Any of those things have to be relatively bad to be felt in the brake pedal or steering wheel. When that warpage is minor, it will still cause the brake caliper to walk back and forth sideways a little. Calipers are supposed to be able to do that but that sliding can set up a chirping sound. High-temperature brake grease is used on the caliper mounts or attaching bolts to allow free movement, but once that grease wears off, the noise will start up.

Even the most conscientious mechanics often miss one thing when they apply that special grease; that's the anti-rattle clips on the brake pads. They can also cause a chirping sound on some cars. The clue is that the sound stops when you apply pressure on the brake pedal.