Motoring Discussion > Wheel squeal Miscellaneous
Thread Author: SteelSpark Replies: 18

 Wheel squeal - SteelSpark
Just recently I have had a few instances when I have noticed a bit of wheel squeal, when turning corners. It has typically been when I have been turning right from a main road into a side road, and normally from a standing start.

It is not a lot, maybe just a split second.

I'm not sure if I am just noticing it, because the windows are down, and whether it is my driving, the road surface, some issue with the car, or maybe a combination.

Not too concerned, especially as it sounds very Bodie and Doyle-ish, but just wondered what causes it to happen.
 Wheel squeal - Zero
It very much depends on the tyres and the road surface. Are the tyres new or worn?

Its always easy to squeal on smooth concrete (Multi Storey ar parks) and new tyres.
Last edited by: Zero on Sun 22 May 11 at 15:43
 Wheel squeal - AnotherJohnH
might be worth checking tyre pressures.

AFAIK, If one on the back (of front wheel drive) is really soft the front opposite corner can get a bit light and prone to squealing with weight transfer on starting with appropriate lock on.

In addition to what Z said.
 Wheel squeal - SteelSpark
>> might be worth checking tyre pressures.

I'll go and have a check right now.

EDIT: They are a bit low. According to the decal the fronts should be 35-36 and the rears 32-41, whereas they are actually all pretty much bang on 34.
Last edited by: SteelSpark on Sun 22 May 11 at 16:12
 Wheel squeal - Armel Coussine
The other thing that makes tyres squeal is low pressures. Low pressures also make them wear faster and make the car thirstier as well as more sluggish in answering the helm. Cars behave best with their tyres inflated to the high speed/heavy load pressures.

A momentary squeal on letting in the clutch is what we hooligans call a 'chirp'. It is possible, SS, that you may be doing this a bit abruptly. Not necessarily though. Cars vary a lot in their behaviour.
 Wheel squeal - BobbyG
My office is on a road that is still cobblestones and it is very easy to make the tyres squeal on them!

Coincidentally, I saw an old Peugeot 306 comoing out a side road yesterday with wheelspin and it made me think that very rarely do I see cars doing that nowadays.

Back in my day, it was a regular occurence for all the boy racers etc to spin the wheels from standstill.

I assume that with many cars having ESP or whatever its called has put a stop to it!
 Wheel squeal - Runfer D'Hills
...and the fact that Colway crossply remoulds were about £3.00 fitted

:-)
 Wheel squeal - Manatee
>> ...and the fact that Colway crossply remoulds were about £3.00 fitted
>>
>> :-)
>>

That would be in about 1975? I was their best customer. Had a Wolseley Hornet on which the hydrolastic suspenders were replaced with the rubber lumps. No dampers. Boy did that car get through tyres. It didn't seem adversely to affect the handling and roadholding at all, though the ride was a bit choppy.
 Wheel squeal - SteelSpark
>> It very much depends on the tyres and the road surface. Are the tyres new
>> or worn?

The tyres are about 2 years old, and I don't think that they are very worn. I checked the treads a couple of months ago. I can't remember what the readings were, but I think they were pretty deep.

>> Its always easy to squeal on smooth concrete (Multi Storey ar parks) and new tyres.

Yeah. I drove on the roof level of a multi-story a few months back (either Heathrow or Gatwick I think), and it was impossible to not squeal every time you turned a corner, no matter how slowly and steadily you drove.
 Wheel squeal - -
Are the tyre edges feathering or any other irregular wear patterns SS, possible tracking out.
 Wheel squeal - Stuartli
Tyres/wheels being out of alignment is, apparently, the biggest cause of tyre squealing.
 Wheel squeal - SteelSpark
>> Tyres/wheels being out of alignment is, apparently, the biggest cause of tyre squealing.

I wouldn't be surprised, because I've knocked it against the kerb a fair few times. I've tried to test the alignment while driving and it seems fine, but I don't really trust my judgment.

I had to go into KwikFit a while back, and when I was there I asked about their free check, but they told me that they were too busy.
 Wheel squeal - NortonES2
Saved from a large mistake! They know not what they do, in my experience, never repeated.
 Wheel squeal - Armel Coussine
Get it done by a proper tyre place SS. They do exist. Ask your car-freak friends if you've got any, or a trusted garage if you know one.
 Wheel squeal - Stuartli
>>Saved from a large mistake! They know not what they do, in my experience, never repeated.>>

A bit unfairly generalised. Kwik-Fit is a franchise and as with any such establishments depend very much on the quality, or otherwise, of the employees at any particular branch.

 Wheel squeal - Number_Cruncher
>>when turning corners.

It's absolutely and perfectly normal.

All cars have lots of steering error when you put them on lock, and squeal is inevitable.

If you had knocked the steering so far out of line, you would notice the steering wheel would no longer be straight when you're going in a straight line.

 Wheel squeal - Cliff Pope
Silly question, but is it actually a tyre sqealing, and not a belt? Steering pump belts can squeal on full lock because the pump is taking an exceptional load.

I hate to contradict Number_Cruncher, but I think the steering geometry can be bent but not necessarily affect the steering wheel position. There are several critical points, not just tracking.
 Wheel squeal - DP
My old S60 was particularly bad for this. On those shiny multi-storey surfaces, the tyres would squeak / squeal as soon as the car moved on full lock.

Tyre life seemed reasonable for the size, weight and power of the car, and it drove OK, so I just put it down to 'a characteristic'.
 Wheel squeal - Number_Cruncher
>>but I think the steering geometry can be bent but not necessarily affect the steering wheel position.

I think that's true Cliff, but, to be far enough out to begin squealing, I would expect there to be some other indication.

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