Why is my car making a random squealing noise when im driving?

This noise happens at random times. I dont have to have my foot on the accelerator or am I braking. It is a very sporadic noise but when it makes the noise its pretty loud. I was told that the bearings on my Alternator could be worn - does this sound right? The brake pads are less than a year old and the fan belt seems tight enough? Im worried it may be something serious. Please help! Why is my car making a random squealing noise when im driving?
There is many different possible answers for your car having this funny noise and it could something like the bushes are just about to go or even the bearings, front axle, corrosion on your brakes or discs, or finally it could a engine problem like a can belt if you have one and finally you could have a dodgy exhaust? i thought i wouldgive you some ides as im an apprentice mechanic and i see these problems atleast 2-3 times a week its usually one of them things i mentioned.Why is my car making a random squealing noise when im driving?
It could be the bearings in the alternator. These will tend to get louder the more load it has. i.e - Does the noise get louder when you start to switch everything on like lights, heater, window demisters. They all use lots of power so will affect the alternator noise output. Give it a try and see what happens.
It could be the alternator. However, it is more likely a worn drive belt.


Last year I had a similar problem develop on my Jeep and it turned out to be the idler pulley. The story is here: http://jgandsr.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-x鈥?/a>





I tend to ignore random noises until they be come more frequent because they are so hard to track down. However that does lead to exciting moments when the part fails at an inopportune time!





Mike





http://mikestrawbridge.com
Replace the belt before considering anything serious. Belts glaze over with time and while they still seem tight, there isn't a lot of friction left to grab the pulleys and they slip. You don't have to be doing anything special for it to squeal. I belt will run you $10.
Start by finding out WHERE the sqeauling sound is coming from.


Do you hear a squeal when the car isn't moving?


Roll down the windows when you drive and listen carefully to see if it's coming from the front, rear, engine or underneath.
Have you looked underneath to see if a pig is trapped there ?If no porker is present,it could be your water pump bearing going.But ,i favour a slipping belt myself.Have you checked your power steering fluid ?
most likely fan belt... doesn't matter if its tight, might be worn and not catchin prperly... get a new one of them before you do anything else
It could be the bushes. It was on mine.
Sounds like your fan belt is slipping.
check your power steering pump