Screeching when reversing - not using brakes

[MattyS]

I've started to get a really annoying screeching noise when reversing. I do not think it's brakes because when I apply the brakes it stops. There no problem in how the car moves though. Any ideas?

 

[Jomarkh]

When you reverse do you have your foot slightly on the brakes?
My MG5 does it.
It is just surface rust and soon clears off.

 

[MattyS]

When you reverse do you have your foot slightly on the brakes?
My MG5 does it.
It is just surface rust and soon clears off.

No I do not. Hovering over the brakes but not on the pedal. Also, it's just in reverse not going forward.

 

[Alb]

Did you have a nervous passenger in the car with you at the time?

 

[Kithmo]

It's probably a stone trapped behind the dust shield.

 

[T1 Terry]

I've started to get a really annoying screeching noise when reversing. I do not think it's brakes because when I apply the brakes it stops. There no problem in how the car moves though. Any ideas?

When you apply the brakes, you apply some pressure between the pad and the disc and this stops the high frequency vibrate the edge of the pad picking up on the disc creates .... and the squeal stops. To prove if this is right or wrong, flush around the brake pads with the hose, then try it and see if it squeals ....

T1 Terry

 

[decrep]

I do not think it's brakes because when I apply the brakes it stops.

Interesting, are you saying, lightly applying brakes, so car is still reversing, stops the noise?

I think that means it is the brakes, but I'm not sure why.

 

[JohnV6]

Could be rusty discs. Try driving with KERS at 1 and braking hard.
It also could be the discs squealing which would require either anti squeal shims or anti squeal compound.

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/BrakeSqueal.html

 

[MattyS]

Thank you everyone. just so I'm absolutely clear here, it could still be a brake noise despite me not touching the brakes when it's happening?

 

[dsimpkins]

Yes, my daughter had this with her car recently. Turned out one of the brake pad retaining clips with rubbing the edge of the brake disc which caused a horrible squeal without touching the brakes. Only does it when it's really cold, and once the brakes warm up it stops.

I just removed the pads, adjusted the clips, and noise gone.