My Toyota Starlet has started making a squealing noise when I turn left. It squeals when the steering wheel turnes about an eigth of a turn and then stops if I go past about a quarter of a turn. It also stops when turning left when I brake. It seems to be coming from the offside rear wheel.

It's definitely not a loose belt.

Could it be the rear drum brakes? Does turning left put pressure on some part of the rear offside wheel which is defective or in need of lubrication?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Simon W, October 2009

Hello How To Mend It - this is a follow up as I've managed to get my car problem fixed. The offside brake cable had become seized so that's what was causing the squealing on left turns. So I got the two brake cables replaced and got some new brake shoes and it's all OK now.

Simon Wright, October 2009