squeaking front left wheel when turn to left

[dbaxRonin]

Anytime I turn my wheel to the left, and am moving at just about any speed, I get a repetitive squeaking noise coming from my front left tire area (i.e. squeak, squeak, squeak). I found that it doesn't do it, however, if I turn the wheel to full lock, nor if I am turning to the right.

I thought perhaps it was just a brake scraper, but I would think if that were the case, it would do it regardless of wheel position.

I just had the front end aligned as I had replaced both front tie-rod ends. Seems it was about then that this started, but I can't imagine any work done for an alignment would cause anything like this.

Anyone have any ideas what would be causing this?

[OwnerCS]

You are not alone. I've had that more than once after replacing the CV axle and forgetting to check the brake rotor shield for being too close to the rotor. There is a brake splash shield that is behind the disk rotor. A mechanic new to Maxima work may accidentally bend the shield so it touches or nearly touches the rotor. Chances are when you turn or put stress on the wheel axle during a turn it might allow the rotor and shield to touch and then squeak. It is easy to fix as you just need to remove the wheel and press the shield out of the way with your fingers or a flat piece of metal like a screwdriver.

[dbaxRonin]

Thanks for the info Owner. I actually was going to take the wheel off just this morning and have a look at it, but AFTER heating up the garage, I remembered I threw my hydraulic jack in the garbage a while back! Alas I tackled the job of fixing my tilt steering wheel lever, and some other residual things...only to wind up with a dead battery, so now I have to wait for my charger so I can go buy a new jack!

I do hope that is all it is though...thanks again.

[dbaxRonin]

So I finally got back around to doing this inspection, and unfortunately it doesn't appear that the splash shield is the issue, at least not at first glance. I jacked up the car and removed the tire. I tried to spin the hub to replicate the noise but I don't think I am getting it to spin fast enough as I can't hear it, thus can't pinpoint where it is coming from. I used a flat blade screwdriver and pried out the shield as much as I could all around it...in inspecting the clearance I can't see that it is touching the rotor anywhere. A short test drive revealed the squeaking is still there.

I am kind of worried now that it might be coming from the bearing. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[maxhopper]

When you jack up the rear, does the wheel have any play in it?

[dbaxRonin]

I never thought to look into anything regarding the rear since the noise is coming from the front. Would that really have any effect on it?

[maxhopper]

Sorry, reading comprehension failed me yesterday.

Jack up the front end and see if there is any play in the wheel.

[dbaxRonin]

OK Then...that makes more sense! When I had it up, I did check for play and all seemed well. Though, I am tempted to try it again just to be sure.

I did recently replace the tie rod ends on both sides, but really don't see how that could cause an issue. The problem didn't start until after I took it in for a front end alignment and emissions test. My lower ball joints have seen better days, and in fact I noticed some slight tearing on the drivers' bj dust cover...but again, not sure how those could cause this type of noise. I actually have brand new lower control arms (with ball joints) waiting to be installed, as well as new sway bar bushings and end links. Perhaps I should see about getting those installed before I dive too much further into this.