When driving slowly yesterday night a screetching noise started coming from what appears to be my front left wheel, I was wondering what it could be.

It seems to be pretty random, it is not worse when braking, it only seems to screetch when driving faster and then it does it when driving slowly. it comes and goes and there doesnt seem to be any pattern to it except it seems to start when driving fast, although it first occured when driving slowly... It does not get louder at any time, it seems fairly consistant in its volume and it does not seem to get worse when I brake in any way also it does not seem to make any difference when turning the wheel and going around a corner, it just seems to be a high pitched noise that comes and goes pretty randomly!

I can think of a couple of reasons for it, firstly, I was driving by the seafront when it started and where I am there are lots of pebbles - I wonder if it may be a pebble or something small has got caught between the brake pads?

Second, Brake pad wear - now I don't know what this looks like but the brake pads look ok to me, I am due a 10,000 mile service shortly though and do not remmemeber if the pads were changed last time I had a service, I have a feeling they were not. I don't know if I would be correct BUT if it was brake wear surely it would make noise when braking and not just when driving, it seems to me to be more consistant with something caught in the wheel area.

Thirdly, wheel beering wear? I have no idea what that would sound like but I saw it mentioned in other posts so I thought I would bring it up as a possibilty, obviously this is probably the worst problem to have.

My car has done 150,000 miles (its a 98 S Reg UK car) but the noise doesn't actually seem to get louder at all, its either there or it isn't...

I would hope it is a stone or pebble caught in the wheel somewhere but if anyone can help diagnose it I would appreciate it. Also are any of the wear problems likely to result in brake/wheel failure if that is what they are anytime soon? Is it so serious if would require a visit to the garage ASAP? Thanks.

Hi
I have the same problem on my 98 S40. I've got a 2.0 auto. done over 80k. I've had a squeak/screech from my left front wheel for months now. The cars had some repairs done on it for other stuff(driveshafts - ouch that was expensive!) but when it was on the ramps, the wheel was turned by hand. The noise appeared to come from the auto gear box. Hope this may give you a clue. Still don't know how to stop it.