Captain Duff 79 Report post Posted November 12, 2018 For a few months I've been getting two linked (I think) intermittent sounds. These are coming from outside the cabin, under the car, are loud and always on the divers side (I've lent to the middle of the car with both windows open to check this!). The first sound is at high speed and normally kicks in on M-ways around 70-80 mph and can only be described as a very fast and constant tambourine bell (or at a push jingle bell) sound. It sometimes starts under acceleration, but continues without any acceleration (or any other pedal depressed) and at variable speeds. The second sound that normally follows or precedes the first is a metal on metal scraping/grinding squeal (bit like brake squeal, but I am not pressing the brakes) that is a revolving sound (matching wheel revolutions I think) and happens at town crawl speeds. Then both sounds clear up by themselves. At first I thought brake pad issues, but I've had things checked by both Tuning Developments and RRG Macc (I've also not long had my 5 year service/MOT), and everything was ok. I also thought possible loose/vibrating exhaust heat shield (or exhaust itself), but the exhaust was removed and refitted when at RRG Macc (for another Milltek crack!) and as it has happened before and after that I can't see how that would be the problem as I'm sure Gary would have spotted anything wrong. I've also wondered about stones/debris getting caught in the stone guard around the brake disks, but then why would it always be on the right and never the left side of the car? So any ideas anyone?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewism1 8 Report post Posted November 12, 2018 I had a similar noise to your first one, and it turned out it was from my Miltek exhaust. It was the version without the flexi, I can't remember what exactly was wrong with it - but had a flexi installed and it went away... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Duff 79 Report post Posted November 12, 2018 12 minutes ago, lewism1 said: I had a similar noise to your first one, and it turned out it was from my Miltek exhaust. It was the version without the flexi, I can't remember what exactly was wrong with it - but had a flexi installed and it went away... That's interesting, thanks, although I did get the flexi-insert part a couple of years ago although of course that doesn't mean it isn't exhaust related (except I would wonder how that fits with the low speed sound?). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted November 12, 2018 I've had the 2nd one, but it went on it's own like yours. Gary suggested it could be something as simple as a stone / debris in shielding behind the brake discs so just as easily fell out as it got in. I've had rubber marbles on the top of the brake pads before on a track day so I can see that a stone or something could easily flick up and get caught somewhere. Roads I was driving at the time had just been "resurfaced" so plenty of loose stones to flick up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdstrike 186 Report post Posted November 12, 2018 w.r.t. the speed-related squeal, you could try regreasing your pad carriers and checking whether the relevant shims are present. We are at the damp 'n' dirty part of the year, so these kinds of issues get more pronounced on top of the already squeaky OEM pads. It's unlikely you'd get a speed-related cyclic noise that's not in the wheel arches. @Mike - it's called surface dressing, and I'm on my third windscreen now. 1 Mike reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Duff 79 Report post Posted November 14, 2018 Thanks for the replies, I do think that the slow speed revolving grind/squeal is most likely brake related as I can't think what else it could be. Yesterday I was getting brake squeal for a minute or so after each time I used the brakes around town (and after completely releasing the pedal), so I'm going to get it into a local garage for a take apart and re-grease on them to see if that works. I'll then also find out hopefully if that fixes the intermittent high speed tambourine sound! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted November 14, 2018 It's probably a sintered bit of pad that is slightly raised. I've had this before. Can sand down the pad a bit which will get rid of it, though I found with mine it returned. I just ignored it in the end until the pads were worn then swopped for a new set of pads which seemed to sort the issue. Mine tended to do it most noticably around 20mph or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Duff 79 Report post Posted November 14, 2018 59 minutes ago, Lauren said: It's probably a sintered bit of pad that is slightly raised. I've had this before. Can sand down the pad a bit which will get rid of it, though I found with mine it returned. I just ignored it in the end until the pads were worn then swopped for a new set of pads which seemed to sort the issue. Mine tended to do it most noticably around 20mph or so. Thanks Lauren that's interesting, and may fit with the fact that after a couple of long M-way journeys recently with minimal brake use I've found that my drivers side rear alloy is hot to the touch (but not the passenger side), which would indicate something is touching to generate the heat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelloggs 22 Report post Posted November 26, 2018 regarding the tickling bell I had a similar sound which turned out to be the gear stick coupling under the transmission tunnel. It seemed to start on acceleration over 4K revs. After a few runs with the local garage service manager in the passenger seat they had it in and changed the linkage under warranty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave86 33 Report post Posted November 26, 2018 On 12/11/2018 at 11:51 AM, Captain Duff said: The first sound is at high speed and normally kicks in on M-ways around 70-80 mph and can only be described as a very fast and constant tambourine bell (or at a push jingle bell) sound. It sometimes starts under acceleration, but continues without any acceleration (or any other pedal depressed) and at variable speeds. The second sound that normally follows or precedes the first is a metal on metal scraping/grinding squeal (bit like brake squeal, but I am not pressing the brakes) that is a revolving sound (matching wheel revolutions I think) and happens at town crawl speeds. As it's near christmas I would suggest you have run over Santa at some point, the bell sound being one of his bells dragging along the floor attached to his now lifeless corpse. 1 TommyC reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Duff 79 Report post Posted December 7, 2018 Thanks for all the replies, I ended up booking it into Cotcomp near me - http://www.cotcomp.com/ - a scooby specialist, and who stripped all four brakes, cleaned, re-greased and put back together (I had a WRX Sti courtesy car for the day, was like driving a wobbly jelly in comparison to my 86!). Anyway, it has worked a treat, brakes are much better and all the different nasty noises have gone (Cotcomp did confirm that two of the brakes were not releasing properly). Today I was in RRG Macc for a rattly window, turned out it just needed the runners re-lubricating and tightening and it is sorted (they didn't charge me anything for doing this), so I'm now a very happy bunny again as the only noises I'm getting from the car are the ones that make me smile Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
