QuestionDear John,
I just got finished reading your article in Rovers North. You have a good quip about the electrical problems being of the most notable features of a Land Rover. I don't know why, but somehow driving a Rover is worth the headaches. I love a good weekend project!
On to my issue. I have a '99 Disco II and the wheels squeak constantly. A high pitched squeak that seems to come from all wheels at different frequencies. The frequency is regular, though. Mind you, the squeaks are not unbearable - just annoying now that it is Spring and I want all of my windows and sunroofs open.
The squeak goes away at higher speeds (it's there, just too frequent to hear) and becomes audible again at around 30mph.
A few years back I installed EBC Performance Rotors & Pads. However, the squeak is there even when the brakes aren't being utilized.
The driver's rear caliper cradle has a single seized piston that I am aware of.
My wheel shakes noticeably for a short period of time when braking in high speeds. A balance & rotation softens the vibration for a good amount of time, though.
I purchased Caliper Seating Piston Refurbish kits from AB and plan on installing them in a couple of weeks. I'd like to know if, while I'm doing this, there is something I can look for that may be the cause of my squeaks. Hubs, maybe?
Incidentally, to validate your quip about the electrical system, I am going to list the electrical problems currently plaguing the '02 Rangie we bought at a very good price last August (60K miles) - please don't tend to these problems if you don't have the time. My main concern are the squeaky wheels):
*Horn doesn't work - I have replaced the relay with no luck
*Interior light rarely comes on when car is unlocked
*Air Conditioning: Warning light is on, fault code indicates that heater core temp sensor is bad, also indicates a past fan issue (I hope it is a current fan issue because the fan power seems painfully weak), the light illuminating one half of the head unit is dead
*A headlamp randomly went out one day. I found this amusing because We've had the Disco II for 80K miles and never had a headlamp go.
*Please note that there aren't any bad fuses in our boxes
Thank you for the article, and for any light you may be able to shed on my problems. It's Spring and time to get underneath the hood again.
Cheers,
Jon Thomas
Tucker, GA
AnswerSqueaks like you describe are almost always resonances between pad and brake rotor. Sometimes you can eliminate them by scuffing the rotors and pads. Other times fitment of new pads and rotors is needed. I will say we see the least chance of this with genuine pads, which is why we use them exclusively.
The headlamp is almost surely just a bulb.
The interior light problem may indicate a driver door latch going bad.
I don't know about the other stuff.
If you are curious, I also have a car blog at http://robisonservice.blogspot.com and a website w/ more articles.
Good luck
John Elder Robison
