Please help diagnose wheel noise

[jimh]

I need help to diagnose a strange wheel noise I've been experiencing in my '97 GS-T. The noise can best be described as sounding similar to a cricket chirping and it occurs more frequently as speed increases. The noise will cease when the brakes are applied but will occur again as the brake is released. The noise does not occur when the suspension is unloaded (i.e., both front wheels raised off the ground and the car put in gear). The brake pads and rotors are within spec and there is no movement when pushing the top of the wheel to check the wheel bearing. *The cv boot and all ball-joints passed my visual inspection.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

*Edit

 

[dls93tsi]

check your cv joints....they might be dry or broken or something

 

[luv2rallye]

Also possible wheel bearing.

 

[jimh]

Thanks for the suggestions but I found the problem. It seems the noise was caused by an overtight brake caliper bolt. The bottom bolt that holds the caliper to the mounting bracket was so tight I had to use a 2 foot breaker bar to crack it loose (and it was still tough to get loose). After getting the brake off and reinstalling, the noise no longer exists.

By the way, the bolt in question must have been overtightened by a repair shop the last time I had them check my brakes. So much for the torque setting on their air tools!