# Strange Noise from Front Left Tire - Need Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 8, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167 "2023-08-08T14:04:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rob987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Rob987](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rob987)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/1 "2023-08-08T14:04:37Z")
Vehicle type: Audi a3 2014 tfsi Hi there, I’ve been experiencing a pretty annoying screeching noise coming from the front left tire of my car. It’s a bit strange – the noise appears when I start moving the car from idle, and then it comes and goes while I’m driving. Oddly enough, sometimes it just disappears altogether. The noise seems to be most noticeable when I’m reversing. I took my car to a mechanic, and they took it for a spin. They mentioned it could potentially be related to the brake pads, but upon inspection, the pads seem to be in decent condition. The thing is, the mechanic didn’t actually hear the noise themselves. Lucky for me, I managed to capture the sound in a recording, which you can listen to here: [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yhn713bov6nsyu2fgyax8/69316ab1-543f-4e5a-bbbb-0db4503976c0.MP4?rlkey=oo3tx30an86g9qe292uit88u8&dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yhn713bov6nsyu2fgyax8/69316ab1-543f-4e5a-bbbb-0db4503976c0.MP4?rlkey=oo3tx30an86g9qe292uit88u8&dl=0) Thanks a bunch in advance. Best regards, Rob ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/2 "2023-08-08T14:13:39Z")
Welcome to the forum. Your audio file is essentially useless as a diagnostic tool for a few reasons. A mechanic that could touch, see, smell and hear your vehicle couldn’t find the problem. How could we be expected to diagnose the problem with sound only? And the bigger problem… you did not bother to tell us what kind of car, year, model, engine, miles. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/3 "2023-08-08T14:18:27Z")
+1 to Mustangman’s comments. Additionally, I couldn’t get the sound file to play, but if there is a screeching noise coming from the left front wheel, the only possibilities (as I see them), are related to the brakes, the wheel bearing, or–depending on whether the mystery vehicle has FWD or AWD–a CV joint. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/4 "2023-08-08T14:30:46Z")
I can’t even hear the sound file either, looks like it is a dropbox thing, either have to be signed into it or it is set to private or whatever… [dropbox.com/scl/fi/nqd0rngeqr1sd07zkuxhb/IMG\_1357.MOV?rlkey=opq9e88u3m410dwukrps](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nqd0rngeqr1sd07zkuxhb/IMG_1357.MOV?rlkey=opq9e88u3m410dwukrpsslebe&dl=0) It also sounds like you had a backyard mechanic look at, it or you didn’t want to pay for a proper inspection/diagnoses… Your vehicle should have been racked and raised and the wheels removed to check everything out… Another thing is next time is makes noise take it to the shop and ask someone to ride along with you, call 1st so they will be expecting it soon… ---
**Author:** ![Rob987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Rob987](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rob987)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/5 "2023-08-08T14:35:41Z")
Hi, I’ve updated the video file [Car tyre noise](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yhn713bov6nsyu2fgyax8/69316ab1-543f-4e5a-bbbb-0db4503976c0.MP4?rlkey=oo3tx30an86g9qe292uit88u8&dl=0) Also it’s an Audi a3 2014 tfsi Many thanks for the help so far Kind regards ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/6 "2023-08-08T14:37:56Z")
Sounds like a brake pad squealer… or you need to call a priest one… 😆 Back to what I said before, need to have the wheels pulled and have it checked out… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/7 "2023-08-08T15:16:34Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Sounds like a brake pad squealer This vehicle doesn’t have squealers on the brake pads. Instead, it has brake pad wear sensors that turns a light on, on the dash when the pads are worn. ![18K2307_Primary](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/6/c6d32eb069471884d440e5f82804c92fba4769c9.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/8 "2023-08-08T15:20:35Z")
I assume an Audi has pins that align rear of pads in caliper and do not use the sst slide type guides that you see on American cars. I have had issues with the sst guides rubbing on rotors but that’s non Audi cars. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/9 "2023-08-08T19:49:56Z")
Well I guess it doesn’t matter now since it was solved in the 1st post … 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Rob987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Rob987](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rob987)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/10 "2023-08-08T20:53:51Z")
Any idea what’s wrong with the car Thanks ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/11 "2023-08-08T21:38:49Z")
> [@Rob987](#): > > Any idea what’s wrong with the car I’d guess something associated with that wheel is rubbing on something else. If removing the wheel doesn’t expose the culprit, and nothing weird going on behind the wheel like torn CV boots, the next step is the brake pads are probably going to have to be removed from the caliper. Suggest before going down this path to verify with certainty which wheel is making the noise. You might ask a helper to walk beside the car and listen while you are slowly & carefully backing up. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/12 "2023-08-08T23:24:33Z")
![maxresdefault](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/4/745d73e0f76bd65f96c18dbfdeab3ca24bdc8824.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Rob987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Rob987](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rob987)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 8:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/13 "2023-08-09T08:34:48Z")
Cool thanks for all the help 😀 ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/14 "2023-08-09T12:21:23Z")
The scenario that Tester suggested is _exactly_ what happened to me, with a rental Ford Tempo. While driving on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, a stone got lodged in the same place, and it made an awful racket until–finally–the rock shattered from (I suppose) the build-up of a lot of heat after ~6 hours of driving. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/15 "2023-08-09T23:27:29Z")
Weird problems seem to come w/rental cars for some reason. The check engine light is a frequent one for me w/rental cars, with no obvious associated problems other than the light being on. I just ignore it. Another rental car, I couldn’t open the trunk. Put stuff on rear seat instead. Yet another, I couldn’t turn on the headlights. Drove only during the day. Still another, couldn’t get engine to crank. Finally figured that one out, needed to step on brake pedal first. I presume VDC inspected the noisy area & saw the problematic rock, but had no way to dislodge it. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/16 "2023-08-10T00:39:49Z")
Yup, more or less. Actually, that car was so wretched that i was kind of hoping that it would break down, and that they would upgrade us to something better. ---
**Author:** ![Rob987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Rob987](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rob987)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/17 "2023-08-10T16:36:13Z")
But how do I fix my car? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/18 "2023-08-10T16:56:23Z")
They are discussing rental cars, what is causing the noise on your car? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/19 "2023-08-10T16:56:32Z")
> [@Rob987](#): > > But how do I fix my car? Well, you are the one that clicked solution, I guess we all thought you had already fixed the problem… What have you done to check it out??? > [@davesmopar](#): > > Back to what I said before, need to have the wheels pulled and have it checked out… Have you done anything to find the issue yet?? Sorry, none of our crystal balls work very well… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167/20 "2023-08-10T21:58:38Z")
> [@Rob987](#): > > But how do I fix my car? My ideas as suggested above … ask your shop pro to Step 1. Verify the noise is actually coming from the front left wheel. Step 2. Remove wheel for a look-see for any obvious rubbing, pebbles stuck in the wheel, etc. Step 3. Remove brake caliper & brake pads for an even closer visual inspection, looking for something rubbing or interfering. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-from-front-left-tire-need-help/192167.md?page=2)