Grinding noise

[SmittysGold]

Actually it's a gas station by our house. If it's a $200 job and he says $1000, I would know to run. Any guess-timate would be a help.

[CREWZIN]

Still hard to guess. Don't forget, we didn't actually pin-point it to be a bearing. According to my books, the bearing looks to be pressed in so it might have to be sent out or maybe he can do it. Hate to say it, but it could even be a half shaft. If the inner boot ever got ripped and dirt was allowed into that area, your talking in the $200-$300 range. There's too many possibilities. The problem has to be found. But if he's a good mechanic, he should be able to find it and his rates are bound to be lower than the dealer.

[SmittysGold]

My husband said they seemed to make an effort last time to figure it out, but without it making the noise, they can't diagnose anything.

I switched cars with my daughter today, as I only have 3 miles to go to work. The noise started after one block. It seems to start as I brake and gets worse with the right turns. If I brake and turn left, there's noise on the braking but nothing on the left turn.

I plan on driving it straight over there at noon. It should be good and noisy for him. It was my aunts "fun car" and she bought it new, so I know it's been babied. I can't imagine it being anything serious, but you never know.

[SmittysGold]

Good news,
I took it in, the guy drove it, came back and said it needed new back brake pads and a new rotor on the back left side. He said the back right rotor was perfectly fine so that was a mystery why they'd wear differently. I got out of there for $185.

Apparently, when we took it in a week or so ago, the guy got busy after he changed the front pads and forgot to check on the back ones.

[CREWZIN]

So, the noise was coming from the rear of the car ???

Well that certainly throws off any guessing of what it might have been. That's why diagnosing a problem over the internet can be just that...guess work. Turning to the right or left shouldn't have had anything to do with the grinding of the brakes in the rear.

Oh well, glad you got it sorted out.

[SmittysGold]

He said it's possible that we have TWO problems going on, the brakes AND the bearings, and to just keep an ear out for the noise. So far, she hasn't heard anything so I'm thinking it's fixed. :-)

[gonzomania]

I too have a grinding noise, but I know it is the rear brake drum, has done it since 12,000 miles when weather is a little bit damp. Goes away as soon as you apply the brakes a couple of times. Its the metal in the drum. Had my rear brakes pulled and they are okay. Just cheap metal. BUT I removed my cold air intake about 3 weeks ago and noticed a humming noise,took it to my buddy because I thought it was a tire hum, he said it sounded like a wheel bearing. Took it to a mechinic friend and sure enought at 54,000 miles the left front being had no grease in it. replaced bearing , no hum. I will be checking right side in the up and coming weeks. If one had no grease, can only assume the other one doesn't either.