Front right wheel well squealing

RYAN RZEPKOWSKI

MEMBER
1997 HONDA CIVIC
0.5L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
160,000 MILES

I have just bought this car and have done work to it, replace front brake pads and all, back brake drums, sway bars, stabilizers, tie rods, exhaust, spark plugs, motor mount and a few others. It is a LX model. When I am accelerating, at about thirty five mph to sixty five mph, the front right wheel well will make a whining kinda squeal. And it is in like a rhythm. It goes away when I decelerate and get to twenty five mph exactly and stop all together. Any suggestions?

2 Replies

RYAN RZEPKOWSKI

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Have also changed the serpentine belt and alternator.

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Friday, August 11th, 2017 AT 5:30 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,465 POSTS

OKkay a couple tests that should pinpoint where the issue is.

1. Drive up to the range where the squeal is, While you hear the squeal, push in the clutch and hold the engine rpm at the same it was when you pushed in the clutch, do not touch the brakes, any change in the sound?

2. Now do the same thing but let off the gas completely and coast, what does the sound do?

3. Do the same test but shift into neutral and let off the gas, what does it do?

Next, Do the second test but apply the brakes gently, does the sound change?
Now repeat test three but apply the brakes gently.

What this is trying to do is determine if it is engine or trans-axle related. Or if it is something like a loose piece of bodywork that is catching air.

The first test keeps the engine at the same speed to see if it is something like an exhaust leak or accessory related.
The next one drops the engine speed to see if the gears in the transmission are making the noise.
The next takes both engine and trans out to see if it is something like a bearing or tire related.
The braking tests see if one or the other reacts to a load placed on them and lessens/increases the issue.