Intermittent "Eek eek eek" sound when I let off the gas?

ANDYSMYTH

MEMBER
2001 SUZUKI ESTEEM
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Tough one. 2001 Suzuki Esteem Wagon with 160k. No problems at all for ten years. Intermittent "Eek eek eek" sound when I let off the gas. Came on over the last week or so. Replaced brake pads. Still there, occasionally as before, sometimes quite loud. Any speed, but only when I let off the gas. Took off wheel and took off brake pads - everything looked fine. Wheel hubs not warm. Car feels normal while driving. At Midas we went for test drive, of course the car was quiet as a mouse. They put it on the hoist and looked around but couldn't find anything serious - possible loose plastic shield underneath. It had caused a thunking sound a year ago and they had put on a hose clamp to keep it still. Next day sound is back "eek eek eek" as before, sometimes quite loud. Loud enough so that I rented a car to get to work.
I'm stumped.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This type of noise is most likely a bearing. It could be a wheel hub even though you are not finding

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

If this noise is only when you let off the gas, then that would point to a component that is being driven when accelerating. Meaning when you are accelerating there is pressure against it and then when you are letting off, it relaxes. This is most likely a drive axle

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-howling-noise

I would focus on the front drive axles and wheel bearings.

If you can narrow it down to one side, then I would replace the bearing on that side and go from there.

Take a look at this info and let us know what you find. Thanks

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