'94 Miata with squeal

I'm experiencing an intermittent squeal noise coming from the front left
area of the vehicle. It began as an intermittent whirring noise that
responded to the vehicle's speed (noise speeds up when the vehicle does
and slows down when the vehicle does). It has since progressed to a loud
squeal. This occurs whether or not the clutch is pressed or depressed so
I do not think it is a clutch release bearing issue. The speadometer is
also experiencing some trouble (the needle wobbles at times), but the
noise and wobble do not consistently match.

Any suggestions of what I may be experiencing?

Thanks!

In article
outautos.com>,
"CSCooke" > wrote:

> I'm experiencing an intermittent squeal noise coming from the front left
> area of the vehicle.

If it stops when you apply the brakes, it's the audible warning that
it's time for new brake pads.

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

It could also be the speedo cable. You can very simply disconnect it at the
tranny end and do a test drive to determine that. Also, see recent thread on
the speedo cable.

Chris
99BBB

"Lanny Chambers" > wrote in message
...
> In article
> outautos.com>,
> "CSCooke" > wrote:
>
>> I'm experiencing an intermittent squeal noise coming from the front left
>> area of the vehicle.
>
> If it stops when you apply the brakes, it's the audible warning that
> it's time for new brake pads.
>
> --
> Lanny Chambers
> '94C, St. Louis
> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

My squeal (in my '99 that just had new front brake discs and a new timing
belt at 60,000 miles) occurs in the cold, when I have shifted into neutral,
and disappears when I speed up in 3rd gear to about 40 mph and then shift
back to neutral. Oddly, it then appears when, after about 5 miles of hiway
driving, I am back on city streets. Same solution. Speedo cable? I do not
see any wobble of the needle. Any thoughts?

"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
...
> It could also be the speedo cable. You can very simply disconnect it at
> the tranny end and do a test drive to determine that. Also, see recent
> thread on the speedo cable.
>
> Chris
> 99BBB
>
> "Lanny Chambers" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article
>> outautos.com>,
>> "CSCooke" > wrote:
>>
>>> I'm experiencing an intermittent squeal noise coming from the front left
>>> area of the vehicle.
>>
>> If it stops when you apply the brakes, it's the audible warning that
>> it's time for new brake pads.
>>
>> --
>> Lanny Chambers
>> '94C, St. Louis
>> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html
>
>

A noise like this can come from many sources. I would suspect a belt
tensioner first, if it sounds like it may be coming from under the hood.
Sometime a water pump bearing will squeal as is starts failing (look for a
coolant leak at the pump shaft). It could be a noisy clutch release bearing
or a wheel bearing.

I have a '99. The left front wheel bearing is starting to howl on my car at
about 25 to 30 mph. If I speed up the noise fades away.

Good luck with the search!


"KKennedy" > wrote in message
. ..
> My squeal (in my '99 that just had new front brake discs and a new timing
> belt at 60,000 miles) occurs in the cold, when I have shifted into
> neutral, and disappears when I speed up in 3rd gear to about 40 mph and
> then shift back to neutral. Oddly, it then appears when, after about 5
> miles of hiway driving, I am back on city streets. Same solution. Speedo
> cable? I do not see any wobble of the needle. Any thoughts?
>
> "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote in message
> ...
>> It could also be the speedo cable. You can very simply disconnect it at
>> the tranny end and do a test drive to determine that. Also, see recent
>> thread on the speedo cable.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>>
>> "Lanny Chambers" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In article
>>> outautos.com>,
>>> "CSCooke" > wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm experiencing an intermittent squeal noise coming from the front
>>>> left
>>>> area of the vehicle.
>>>
>>> If it stops when you apply the brakes, it's the audible warning that
>>> it's time for new brake pads.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Lanny Chambers
>>> '94C, St. Louis
>>> http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html
>>
>>
>
>