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Just bought a car about a month ago from someone who recently had new tires put on, but after an oil change, Mr Tire said the tires could use balancing. I had driven with the e-brake up :angry: and it had blown my brake line about 2 weeks ago…I had to have the wheel cylinders, brake lines, and rear brake shoes replaced. However, after getting all of this done, I noticed a grinding noise. Thinking it was the brake drums just being warped from the e-brake fiasco, I replaced them myself, since the mechanics were getting on my nerves with their usual BS.
After changing the brake drums, the noise is still there. It only hits when accelerating slightly, between 15-45 MPH, doesn’t occur when I’m braking or coasting along, and it sounds like it’s alternating between left and right sides…can’t pinpoint any certain location. Everybody keeps telling me it’s “nothing to worry about” but they’re not the ones driving 100 miles a day with it.
The wheel bearings don’t feel loose and I have full steering control, so I don’t think it’s the bearings as once suggested. The tires might need balancing, but I don’t want to waste any more money if that’s not the problem. Someone suggested it might be a transmission issue, and someone suggested it might be a loose heat shield, but it feels way too violent of a vibration to be exhaust. Please help.
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What year,make,model are we working on?
check that the dust shields are not rubbing
on rotors. Jack up each wheel and spin by hand
to see if the noise is heard.see if this helps
you further.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/determining-the-causes-of-vehicle-vibrations
If the grinding noise does not occur during braking, then it’s not likely to be an issue with the brakes. If you feel the grinding noise coming through the car, try to narrow down what component you feel the sound coming through- steering wheel, floor boards, etc. That might give a better idea where to look for loose or broken parts.
In my experience, wheel bearings will reach the point where they are making a hell of a racket before you really start to feel an issue with the handling. As suggested by a PP, the dust shields can get a bit bent, and make a hell of a racket rubbing against the rotors.
After market brake pads often have a metal shim on the back that is supposed to decrease the amount of squealing / noise they make. Often that shim will work lose from the pad, and get in a spot where it rubs against the “hat” part of the rotor. That too can make a hell of a lot of noise.
CV joints will sometimes make a racket which is very pronounced in a certain speed range, and changes when get get on / off the gas. The sound will be different when they are under no load, light load, or heavy load.
college man: 2000 Pontiac Sunfire, 174k miles.
Jacked up and spun the tires when I changed the brake drums, hub felt secure and smooth, couldn’t replicate the sound, must only happen when accelerating under load.Tomh: Hmm, I hope it’s not like that with the bearings. Anyhow, yeah I did notice a tiny spot where there’s “silver” deposit on the new brakes and the backing plate, but I don’t think that’d be enough to make the noise I”m hearing.
CV joints, now would that sound exist when I’m not accelerating, too, if it was the CV joints?brian: Well, it sounds like it’s coming from the underbody, it definitely feels like it’s something from the rear tire areas, but I can’t pinpoint it or replicate it when the car’s not running.
Well, I can sense your frustration. I do k ow that wheel bearings make a racket before they get “loose.” A low grumble to start with. They usually get quiet once they wear so much that they allow movement. You could jack up the back one tire at a time and slowly put it in drive and let of the brake…slowly. this will help to simulate the condition in your driveway. You cannot have limited slip diff for this to work! Find thatout first. The only other way I know of to rule out the bearing is to pull it and check for metal shavings in the bearing.
[quote=”bbryan1″ post=81637]Well, I can sense your frustration. I do k ow that wheel bearings make a racket before they get “loose.” A low grumble to start with. They usually get quiet once they wear so much that they allow movement. You could jack up the back one tire at a time and slowly put it in drive and let of the brake…slowly. this will help to simulate the condition in your driveway. You cannot have limited slip diff for this to work! Find thatout first. The only other way I know of to rule out the bearing is to pull it and check for metal shavings in the bearing.[/quote]
Alright, yeah I think once this snow clears up I’ll just go ahead and actually check for any obvious physical signs of damage to rule them out for sure.Update: Okay, so I jacked up the car and looked carefully, everything looks decent.
Took it to my mechanic for a ride-along and turns out all it is is the exhaust rattling around a little bit. Relief off my shoulders
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