Stephanie Anne wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a 2000 Honda Civic VP with about 75,000 miles on it.
> Recently, I've noticed a high-pitched grinding noise coming from what
> sounds like the front end wheel wells -- mostly the right, but
> occasionally the left as well. It seems to be random/intermittent...
> I'd say it happens maybe 50% of the time I drive, and it can happen at
> any speed. Occasionally it happens when I make a sharp turn, but most
> times it doesn't. The noise will always stop completely if I so much
> as tap my brakes. There's no vibration and it doesn't affect my
> driving or deceleration in any way.
> I know that a grinding noise that only happens when you brake means
> you should replace the pads, but does a noise that *stops* when you
> brake mean the same thing? Could it be my wheel bearings or something
> that needs a little grease?
>
> Also, unrelatedly (I think), there's a really loud groaning sort of
> noise that happens when I'm driving in reverse. It almost sounds like
> a cat meowing/whining, but REALLY loud. Happens about 80% of the time
> I'm in reverse, and it goes away once I'm in drive. It has no effect
> on driving, as far as I can tell, but it sounds kinda scary. Totally
> clueless on that one.
>
> Any advice you could provide would be very much appreciated. I've
> been overcharged/misled at repair shops more than a few times (as a
> single girl in her 20s -- I still get mechanics who tell me to "just
> get your parents to pay" for car repair work!) so I'd love to go in
> with a rough idea of what it could be, just so I don't have to wade
> through a bunch of offers for stuff I don't need, and this seemed like
> a good place to go to start gathering info.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> Cheers,
> Stephanie
>
===================================

All Hondas (even automatics) make that noise in reverse, especially if
you back uphill. Your brakes are telling you they need to have new pads
installed. That part is in the owner's manual. It's the first place you
need to look.

'Curly'