Same with me. It only happens at around 5MPH in first gear. Anything faster and it goes away. It also seems to happen when I turn the wheel. As soon as I start going straight it goes away. The noise comes and goes as it pleases. The noise doesn't bother me... trying to figure out what is causing the noise is bothering me! Funny how I am not the only one. I am wondering if some SLK owners may have experienced the same problem.

 

If this happened to me I would re-pack the front bearings with grease before I ended up needing new ones. Has anyone tried this?

 

I am glad I still have the max care. If it is bearings they are covered. I still have another 3 years with 35K miles left and I am more likely to run out of time first before the mileage.

 

I have the same problem that comes at low speeds when turning very slightly to the left. It comes and goes, but I can only hear it when there is a concrete barrier or I am passing houses where the noise can be reflected back with the window down. (On a 2004)

 

I was thinking that it may be a brake pad retraction problem that when turning is heard because of a slight flex of the steering system. Who knows.

 

Did anyone ever find the squeak or squeal? I have the same problem with my '05. Had it checked out but the problem cannot be found.
Here is my description. I hear the noise at low speeds only. Stepping on the brakes has no affect on the noise. However, turning the steering wheel to the left or right will make it go away momentarily.
Sure would be nice to get rid of the noise.

 

I never found out... I just gave up! All moving parts make noise and I guess there is noting I can do about it. A little squeak is not going to kill me as long as everything looks safe and normal.

 

I have had the issue for a while now. I found that blowing the brakes assy out with High pressure water usually makes it go away....for a while.

Drove all the way to DFW, some 680 miles, with squeaky wheels,. Blew them out there and still squeaked the whole weekend.

Got home, nothing.

It is a mystery.
roadster with a stick

 

With my squeal, when I apply brake pressure it stops, even slight pressure. Like I have said before, I reaplacing/upgrading nearly every component of my brake system within the next week or two and will post results once I am through, especially if it affects the noise. Will check bearings as well.

John

 

The Chrysler approved method of solving squeaks, rattles and other miscellaneous noises is to turn up the radio.
It works.

 

i've been having the exact same problem for the last month now. i have an 05' coupe w/45k miles and had my brakes checked. midas said nothing wrong, brakes still good.
so from my understanding from reading the info on here so far it can be:
-bearings need greasing
-rocks or deposits in brake assembly
-brake assembly needs lube behind the pads
-or the brakes aren't retracting properly....

I think that its the last one in my case because it feels and sounds like the brakes are rubbing slightly still even while driving. my passenger even said something and it seems to come and go. if this is the case what should i do to resolve non-retracting brakes? maybe you can help me lantanaTX, I know you're pretty knowledgeable about brakes and assemblies

 

I almost wish I had this problem so I could find the cause. From the sounds of it, there can only be a few things that cuase it.

Floating calipers usually have pins they slide on. I can't look at mine becuase I don't have stock brakes anymore. A little grease where they slide would be a good idea. Aslo some pad lube on the backside of the pads.

While you you have the wheel a little off the ground grab the wheel/tire and try to rock it and see if you can feel any play at all in the bearings. Any play at all is bad. Spin the wheel and see if you can hear the problem.

If the car has to be moving to produce this problem then It probably isn't the power steering pump.

This sound is also sometimes the the first sign that your pads are almost metal to metal. check the thickness of your pads.

What kind of pads are you all running? Sometimes this problem is related to the pad material.

These sounds can also be hard to tell where they are coming form so I would inspect the rear as well. Check the brakes and rear bearings. Turn the wheel if possible but have the other wheels blocked for saftey.

If one of you guys with the problem is in Dallas come by and I will take a look at it.

Hope this helps

 

thanks for the reply. well midas checked my brakes and said they were at half life. they are oem btw. are those known to have any squeal problems? if not, its probably the assembly.

 

The stock pads are very good, very quiet and very dusty.

 

Lol the dusty part is too true unfortunately.
So to my understanding, the pins that need to be greased come in contact with the rotor? and would that be on the outer side, inner, or both? i kind of have an idea of how to lube the back of the pads. also, will i have to bleed my brake lines to do this?
you'll have to excuse my n0obishness, im new to the DIY german car thing

 

As long as you do not open the bleed screws or losen the brake lines there is no need to bleed them. the pins I was reffering to do not contact the rotor. the only thing that should contact the rotor is the pads. the back side of the pads that does not contact the rotor is where the pad lube goes. You can buy this in little packets at any parts store. The Crossfire uses a floating caliper which means there is only a piston pusing on the inside of the rotor. when it pushes against the rotor it pulls the other side pad onto the rotor. There is alway a way for the caliper to slide inorder to achieve this. If I still had my stock calipers I could look and tell you exactly how they slide. Most floating calipers have large thick metal pins that the this slide action happens on. It is a good idea to make sure they are sliding freely or you may not be completely releasing the pad when you let your foot off the brake. a little too much dragging of the pad could produce the sqeak. I still suspect the bearings. When I had my car aligned we found too much play in my passenger side front wheel. We took off the dust cover and becuase everything was still in good shape we just tightened the nut a little that tightens the bearings. Never had an issue since.

 

thanks lantana, i'll have to get to work on that. the wheel was squeaking again last night a bit

 

Do not use just any old grease, use a thin film of silicone grease. you do not want grease floating around your brakes. Clean the pins up first, if you find them rusty replace them.

 

ok thanks for the heads up

 

I now have this problem the car is in the garage today as it is driving me mad. Anyone get to the bottom of it?