Car Noise

[Mizzou415]

I've got a 2001 Tahoe. It started making this kinda screeching noise that sounds like it's coming from the wheels/tires as a drive. The noise doesn't appear to speed up/slow down with my car though it does stop if the car is stopped. I can only hear the noise with my windows down and it's only been warm enough for that for the past two days but I'd say it makes the noise ~40% of the time I'm driving.

Any idea what it might be?

 

[Boozehound]

Sounds like wear indicators on your brake pads. Probably time to get them replaced.

The indicators (little metal tabs on the back of the brake pad that extend a certain distance toward the wear surface of the pad) are dragging on the rotor as you motor along, screeching most of the time. When you stop the car, the indicator is pressed in harder against the rotor and that generally shuts them up.

Brief Explanation of Wear Indicators on Disc Brakes

 

[accuratehorn]

Boozehound is correct. Time for a new set of brake pads, and maybe resurfacing the rotors.

 

[JohnnyM]

I think your thingamajig is stuck up against the whatchamacallit.

 

[Mizzou415]

Thanks. I'd experienced my brakes squeaking as I used them in the past but never as I'm just driving along.