Hi!
My 2008 SS has 34K on the clock and I'm getting a wicked metal on metal squeal when I steer left, occasionally on light braking and it chirps over bumps. Rekon I'm up for a brake job or maybe a bad wheel bearing?
My Jeep is in the shop a few more days so I'm going to have to drive the HHR a little before I can get it checked out.
Thoughts?

Jim

 

Doubt it is brakes. Id check the bearings. Have you been able to pinpoint which wheel is squealing and chirping?

 

Do you have Brembos? They have been known to make some squealing noises even with plenty of pad left.
Needing brakes at 34K is not that unusual. All depends on driving conditions and also the drivers habits.
Jack it up. Take off the wheel and take a look see.

 

It's likely the brakes. The stock pads on the SS wear quickly. I replaced mine at about 28K miles when they started squealing badly. The squeal is the wear indicators doing their job.

 

Lol listen to the people with the ss. Just the chirping over bumps puzzles me. My previos car made chirping noises and it was a bearing. But different car different day.

 

mixed use driving. definitely front left making the noise. Weird thing is if it was the bearing, turning right would put the stress on that wheel and make the noise. For me, it's the opposite.
No Brembos.
Got real quite after a car wash, I'm thinking brakes.

Jim

 

I can understand how frustrating this can be to try to narrow this down on your own. I have read the suggestions the other members have provided you with. I hope things will go smoothly when you get your Jeep back and you can dig into this more. Please, let us know how things go and what the culprit was.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Yup, first thing is to yank the wheel and check the brakes. See how much is left on the pads. If you shine a light and look carefully, you can actually see the metal tab wear indicators, and if they are rubbing the rotors. If not, its possible the edges of the rotor are corroding and bits of rust are causing the noise.