Front wheel squealing/scraping

[fuzzdecay]

thanks for all the help, i'll definitely be taking the car back for one last check with this thread printed in hand. it's so ridiculously frustrating that i take my car in and then have a bunch of bs thrown my way. i feel like i'm not being taken seriously.

i actually hadn't looked into how the power steering works in the smart, i just assumed it was a belt. it really seems like everything on this car is different :P

i've been hoping that it's not the bearings, and that it is the brakes expanding with heat like many of you have said. apparently the wheel bearings were an issue with the 450, so i wouldn't be surprised either way.

[EdwardDennis]

I'm voting with Fred.

Consider testing the front disc brake assembly by driving slowly (in a quiet area) along the wall of building, with windows down and the car electronics (stereo, fan, Ipod, etc.) Off.

If you hear a distinct metallic rubbing or scraping front-end sound-- as you slowly travel forward-- the disc pads and/or calipers might need attention (...the rotors, if scored or warped, could also be the culprit).

If the noise is present, try applying the foot brake slowly to see if the sound diminishes or is eliminated. If the sound stops when the brake is applied, I'd have the dealer focus on the front disc brake assembly.

[anjancontractor]

I am also having ringing/squealing sound at high speed on interstate. It starts at 70-75 mph and stays even when I slow down to 40 mph and after sometime it will go away. Such sound is completely random but I made some observations:

- In Texas Summer, when temperature went above 104 F, the sound most definitely showed up.
- When temperature dropped below 60 F (late fall, early winter) sound became less frequent. (Is it due to metal expansion/contraction? The space between break pads and disc is very small)
- I went to the dealership and they were able to regenerate the sound but couldn't figure out exactly figure out the origin. The mechanic at dealership seemed somewhat intuitive. He mentioned that break disc may be coming very close to or in contact with the break pads sporadically and air passing in between or metal touching each other may be generating ringing sound. He filed the space in between but sound didn't go away. He also mentioned that it can't be bearing issue because if bearings are defected, they will make continuous sound (not sporadic), leading to some level of vibrations. In my case I have never felt any sort of vibrations.

Currently I have 19200 miles and I will go to the dealership one last time to check on it further. Please keep me posted with your progress?

Did you try silicon that is mentioned in the thread? Does it affect safety? I will also ask this to the mechanic.

[Dunerunner]

The previous post to yours was in September of 2008, I doubt they will be keeping you posted. Some of those posting to this thread are no longer members!!

I'd get the wheel bearings replaced and the spindles checked to see if the inner race has spun!

[GetSmrt28277]

Greetings.

These threads/posts may help, too:
Rubber rubbing noise

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/front-wheel-bearing-35314/

As a new member, I am encouraging you to post an introduction in the New Member thread so the members can formally meet and greet you.
Tell us there about your smart and how you found us.

[kellyk]

Hi.
I just joined this forum because I'm having the same problem as fuzzdecay and anjancontractor. The ringing/squealing sound is happening on my 2008 Smart at around 60mph on the freeway and is sporadic. Have you two had any luck at finding the culprit? I have an appointment this week with a repair shop and would like to be able to give them more direction if possible.

[jwight]

Zombie thread; see you got the possible cause from smark in your other post.

[anjancontractor]

Originally Posted by kellyk

Hi.
I just joined this forum because I'm having the same problem as fuzzdecay and anjancontractor. The ringing/squealing sound is happening on my 2008 Smart at around 60mph on the freeway and is sporadic. Have you two had any luck at finding the culprit? I have an appointment this week with a repair shop and would like to be able to give them more direction if possible.

@ KellyK
Hi.
I just joined this forum because I'm having the same problem as fuzzdecay and anjancontractor. The ringing/squealing sound is happening on my 2008 Smart at around 60mph on the freeway and is sporadic. Have you two had any luck at finding the culprit? I have an appointment this week with a repair shop and would like to be able to give them more direction if possible.
---------------------
As of today the problem hasn't gone away. I have stopped using it for long distance travels (1+ hour). I use it only as commuter car. The sound doesn't come if I drive less than an hour and less than 60mph.

I believe it is an engineering design issue that Smart car designers have to solve it in future models (if they figure out). The brakes are floating disc type. At high speed disc go through lateral vibrations, hence the pads come in slight contact with the disc, which makes ringing sound. If this theory (and it is only a theory without any evidence/experimentation/modeling) is correct then it is not a safety problem but the sound is annoying (and scary).

Before you take my words, you must consult mechanic. Many Smart cars have had bearing issues- make sure that it is not a bearing issue.

My car has now 30K miles on it and I have taken this problem as granted. How can we inform Smart car designers to conduct some vibration analysis to check if problem really exist? Will they listen to us?, Do they really care? How good/bad is European customer service? Are they really as good engineers as they used to be? Is it really good to be so laid back? Smart car really shows some key European characteristics. These questions arise especially in current economic climate when their economies are on the verge of collapse??- just another thought...

[Stretchmobile]

Pinging sounds like marbles being dropped on a wooden floor or drum sticks on a hard edge. Squealing from the front is either bearings or brakes. I would suspect brakes first. Most bearing have a growling noise when they go out. These are replacement only and come with the hub. Get some anti-squeal goop for the back of the pads from the auto parts store.

[smark]

Brake pads singing, see other tread, the OP started yesterday.