Squeaking noise from front left wheel

[smidogg]

I drive a 98 Legacy L Wagon.

Recently I have noticed a rhythmic squeaking noise coming from my front left wheel. However it only happens when I turn the wheel to the right and am going forward. It does not happen when I go straight or turn left, or in reverse. It happens even if I am just slightly turning the wheel right to change lanes etc.

 

It is not a grinding noise and is definitely rhythmic to the speed that I am going. It also happens at all speeds.

 

Now I have been camping several times in the past few weeks so I'm thinking that dirt may be a cause somewhere.

 

I am also aware that this might be indicitave of a bearing or brake problem.

What do you all think?

[2X2KOB]

Sounds like your brake pads. It's worth taking a look, might not be a problem other than noise. How many miles since the brakes were last worked on or inspected? Have a look at the CV joint boots while you are in there.

[smidogg]

The last time I looked at the brakes was about a month and a half ago when I bought the car and they looked almost new. I'm not hearing a clicking noise just sqeaking so I don't think it's a CV boot.

It definitely has the sound of a squeaky rubber/ brake noise, very similar to a loose belt sound.

[2X2KOB]

If that was mine, I'd take out the pads and de-glaze them with a file on the disk contact surface, and add a bit of chamfer around the edges. Then I'd see if there's a ridge on the outer edge of the disk, and if so knock that off with a file while the disk was turning. Then I'd clean up the caliper with a toothbrush and some brake clean spray, apply a tiny bit of high-temp grease to the pad slider contact points, and reinstall the pads with a very light application of that "disk brake quiet" compound on the back of the pads. Using OEM pads on these cars seems to be worth the money.