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04 Prius squealing noise left front wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by wgrotheer, Jun 27, 2011.

  1. wgrotheer

    wgrotheer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    3
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    Location:
    Edmonds, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Car suddenly started a high pitched whistling noise/metal on metal sound at highway speeds. It is intermittent, no noticeable pattern w/acceleration or breaking. Similar sound at lower volume when the shock/spring is depressed (pushing down on that corner of the car). Louder at low speeds.

    Thanks for any ideas.
     
    #1 wgrotheer, Jun 27, 2011
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Sounds like a wheel bearing or something like a rock caught between the pad and the rotor. Are you planning a DIY repair or taking it to a dealer?
     
    #2 seilerts, Jun 27, 2011
  3. wgrotheer

    wgrotheer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    3
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    Location:
    Edmonds, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If it's a rock & I could do it myself, that would be wonderful but am trying to get to my mechanic tomorrow so I don't damage anything.
     
    #3 wgrotheer, Jun 27, 2011
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Please do post the outcome, particularly if you are not using a dealership. People here ask about finding independent Prius mechanics all the time.
     
    #4 seilerts, Jun 27, 2011
  5. wgrotheer

    wgrotheer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    3
    1
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    Location:
    Edmonds, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Outcome - it was a rock inside the hub area that would get lodged & rub on the inner corner of the rotor. I now have a rock w/a very shiny edge. The mechanic had to remove the caliper, pads & rotor to get it. Total bill $95. Thanks for the advice.

    P.S. the mechanic - Superior Auto Service in the Fremont area of Seattle. I take the Prius & our Honda Element there for everything & have been quite pleased.
     
    #5 wgrotheer, Jun 28, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Cool, thanks for coming back. Can't tell you how many times someone asks for help and then we never hear back.
     
    #6 seilerts, Jun 29, 2011
  7. MannyCT

    MannyCT New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
    1
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    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Had the same horrendous noise -- high pitched squealing like super chalkboard scratching. I removed the decorative wheel cover -- after letting everything cool overnight -- and felt around behind the brake disk. There's a thin round metal piece that runs right up behind the disk; it must be a protective shield. There's enough room for a piece of gravel to lodge between it and brake mechanism. I moved my fingers along the space between the shield and the disk and a very small piece of gravel fell out. Voila; no noise. I hope that works for anyone else with the noise.
     
    #7 MannyCT, May 19, 2012
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