Technical Chirping noise from front left wheel well

[spleenharvester]

Hi all. Car is a 2011 1.2 Dualogic model with 80k miles on the clock. Struts fully replaced at start of 2024, while brake fluid, calipers, pads and rotors were replaced by me earlier this year. No codes and no issues driving the car other than the noise.

Having trouble pinning this noise down because (a) it only happens at motorway speed and (b) it is too high pitched for my phone to record, but it does seem like it is coming from the wheel well and not the transmission area. As title the noise sounds a bit like a bird chirping/squeaking. It is intermittent, and only occurs at motorway speed when the car is hot after an hour+ driving. It does not seem to correlate with gear changes, acceleration, brakes, steering wheel or going over bumps. The pitch is always the same regardless of the speed of the car.

I have taken the wheel off and had a good look (no pics but will post later). Can't see anything amiss, no excessive corrosion, nothing loose, pads wearing evenly, CV boot intact etc. The wheel itself has a slightly bent edge from hitting a pot hole but this was a while before the noise started, and we aren't getting any other symptoms like shuddering/vibrating.

Any ideas? I have to imagine it's a control arm or something based on its pitch not changing.

Thanks

 

[ZaphodB]

As title the noise sounds a bit like a bird chirping/squeaking.

Is it an actual bird in there

It is intermittent, and only occurs at motorway speed when the car is hot after an hour+ driving. It does not seem to correlate with gear changes, acceleration, brakes, steering wheel or going over bumps. The pitch is always the same regardless of the speed of the car.

Ram air weedling its way in somewhere and causing a whistle?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Check very carefully that the brake backplate is not touching the disc. It only needs to br very slightly, or a stone or stick in between to start this. Also check the wheel bearing is good and not dry / overheating. There really isnt a lot else.

Loose bumper?

Aux elt tensioner. Consider lubricating with a light oil spray. You need to remove the arch liner to get at this.

 

[spleenharvester]

Is it an actual bird in there



Ram air weedling its way in somewhere and causing a whistle?

Did I forget to mention the huge dove living in there? lol

It's def not a whistle, too staccato of a noise. Though I did replace the wheel liner earlier this year

Check very carefully that the brake backplate is not touching the disc. It only needs to br very slightly, or a stone or stick in between to start this. Also check the wheel bearing is good and not dry / overheating. There really isnt a lot else.

Loose bumper?

Aux elt tensioner. Consider lubricating with a light oil spray. You need to remove the arch liner to get at this.

Will take a look again - I did check the pads were seated properly (I have screwed this before by trapping the backplate between the carrier and the caliper) and they looked OK to me

Wheel bearing was my first thought too, for whatever reason both of the front bearings are missing that little cap thing so it's a possibility. I was under the impression bearings and CV axle make a low droning sound when they fail that varies in pitch with speed?

Bumper is missing a fastener on both sides (the one that always strips immediately) but it has been like that several years, it doesn't feel loose

Aux belt is definitely OK, replaced myself earlier this year

 

[ZaphodB]

It's def not a whistle, too staccato of a noise.

My previous car had a weirdness with the passenger (frameless) door window, given the right conditions (only over a certain road speed and a particular crosswind speed) the top of the window would let out an almighty screech as it parted company with the top door seal.
So don't underestimate the effects of ram air.

 

[Jockstrap]

Just a cheap car

 

[The Panda Nut]

Did I forget to mention the huge dove living in there? lol

It's def not a whistle, too staccato of a noise. Though I did replace the wheel liner earlier this year


Will take a look again - I did check the pads were seated properly (I have screwed this before by trapping the backplate between the carrier and the caliper) and they looked OK to me

Wheel bearing was my first thought too, for whatever reason both of the front bearings are missing that little cap thing so it's a possibility. I was under the impression bearings and CV axle make a low droning sound when they fail that varies in pitch with speed?

Bumper is missing a fastener on both sides (the one that always strips immediately) but it has been like that several years, it doesn't feel loose

Aux belt is definitely OK, replaced myself earlier this year

I bent the backplate end last time i did the pads and had similar. It was touching only just but the noise was quite bad. I had to look several times before I found the problem it was difficult to spot.