really weird grinding noise

B 4 You · #1 01-30-2011, 08:39 PM

so i took my girlfriend to starbucks tonight, drove her home but before that got some gas. as soon as i pulled out i heard this really bad grinding noise coming from the front right wheel. it sounds almost like the rim is grinding on the fender, but i know it's not. is this a wheel bearing? CV joint? brakes? ugh i have school in the morning and i don't want to drive my car home and damage it. if it was wheel bearings it would have got gradually louder too...

the car isn't pulling or acting any different, and it sounds like it's only on one part of the wheel (not a steady grind) i guess i know what i'll be spending my time doing tomorrow afternoon

oab_au · #2 01-30-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B 4 You

so i took my girlfriend to starbucks tonight, drove her home but before that got some gas. as soon as i pulled out i heard this really bad grinding noise coming from the front right wheel. it sounds almost like the rim is grinding on the fender, but i know it's not. is this a wheel bearing? CV joint? brakes? ugh i have school in the morning and i don't want to drive my car home and damage it. if it was wheel bearings it would have got gradually louder too...

the car isn't pulling or acting any different, and it sounds like it's only on one part of the wheel (not a steady grind) i guess i know what i'll be spending my time doing tomorrow afternoon

I doubt very much that it is the wheel bearings. You say " it sounds like it's only on one part of the wheel (not a steady grind". That sounds like it is a worn pad on the disc.
Plan B. It may be the lining under the guard rubbing.

Harvey.

B 4 You · #3 01-30-2011, 09:18 PM

well should i not drive it? i really don't feel like doing any serious damage. :[

Cam · #4 01-30-2011, 09:33 PM

Your probably fine driving it. If it gets any worse then you should stop. It does not sound too critical if it is not a wheel bearing. How do your brakes feel? What's it sound like when you hit the brakes? anything out of the ordinary? Does it do it more when you turn? In one particular direction? The more specific you are about the problem the more we can help you

B 4 You · #5 01-30-2011, 09:42 PM

the brakes really don't affect it. it's the worst at around 5mph. it doesn't make much noise if i turn left hard. it sound like something warped is hitting part of the wheel. i don't see anything lose though.

Cam · #6 01-30-2011, 10:00 PM

Did you change the brakes? Try to look through your wheel and see if the metal clips are still holding your pads into the calipers. I have friends who throw their clips away because they are a pain sometimes. This causes the pads to just "sit" in the calipers and can come loose easily and ride on the rotor.