Squealing and more Squealing

[airrazor]

I was out turning a corner and maybe this is coincidence but hit a pothole... mmm pothole !!

So since then while I'm driving off and on, really no pattern involved is a squealing, very high pitched, (usually doesn't change tone) that goes away when applying the brakes. I'm not convinced it's worn down brake pads because they respond fine.

Sometimes the sound goes away while turning, it doesn't get higher pitched as I accelerate... and can happen at any speed, even very slow

Again it goes away on it's own, but very occasionally
So I'm thinking about replacing the bearing and just want to be sure before I start disassembling things.

2 different sources have turned down the idea of it being brakes or rotors so far, one being a mechanic who only took it for a quick test drive with me, (thanks buddy) but never inspected it, and wanted to charge $230 to replace rotor and pads.

Sorry about the long post, Any suggestions?

[CharleyO99Alero]

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Bump!

Anyone got suggestions?


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[Twiz]

It could be one of the anti-squeal shims and pad support plates. They usually clip on the back of the brake pads. One of them is probably loose and grinding against the rotor.

[SIUlero]

check your pads...your performance won't suffer till they're completely gone and you hear grinding when you hit the brakes (metal on metal), but they start squealing like that before the material's all used up to keep you from ruining rotors.

[super white alero1]

Check the wear indicator. A metal strip of steel that extends to the rotor from the pads.

[airrazor]

Wow I feel like such a jerk... I forgot about this one...

It was a hairline fracture on the pad (maybe some grit too) and an ex-military mechanic working at partsource took care of it. I've never seen anyone manually sand down brake pads so it was kinda cool. They needed to be replaced 6 months later and ceramics have been very good to me. Thanks for the help, I got a ridiculous new problem now though, so enjoy the new post.

P.S. I'm going to try and figure out how this site can send you emails when someone replies.