TomCat39

Hi all,

This is a new development with my car. Sort of grand having zero dollars to spare yet the issues just keep racking up.

Anyways, looking into rebuilding the front end as priority for this car.

From what I can tell (had my wife get out and listen too) it is coming from the front passenger side wheel area.

When the car moves backwards (anytime, self powered or not) there is a metal rubbing sound. It is not present moving forward. It also doesn't change sound going faster or slower it just is solid constant rubbing sound. It doesn't really appear to have any rpm characteristics.

I have not pulled my wheel off yet to look around. I can't figure a way it could be brake related but that is my first area of inspection. Then again I can't think of anything that would cause noise in reverse only but not be present rolling forward.

As far as I know, the passenger side lower ball joint is pretty weak but not to the clunky stage yet.

Can a wheel bearing act like this?

Started pricing knuckles at the salvage yard so that I can have new bearings and ball joints pressed in. Just wondering if the 300 or so will be effective for this or if I need to look into other aspects of the front suspension?

Axles are brand new.

Former User

Raise the wheel off the ground and rotate it by hand to see if you can reproduce the noise. If so, pinpoint precisely using an engine stethoscope.

TomCat39

Thanks for that. Much more thorough than what I was thinking.

If the sound isn't reproduced with the wheel floating (needs load) how would you recommend proceeding?

Former User

In this case, I'd recommend you check the wheel freeplay (wheel bearing) and then remove the wheel and inspect (i) the wheel splash guard (bent and rubbing on brake rotor) and also (ii) the brakes and suspension. Pinpointing the problem would be much easier, obviously, if you can reproduce the noise with the wheel off the ground.

tony_2018

So it doesn't make that metal grinding sound when the wheels are in the air? On jackstands?

TomCat39

Haven't gotten that far, I'm at work and was just wanting an idea for both scenarios so I don't have to go back up to the apartment from the parking garage and can just continue regardless of the result I get.

I will report back once I've done what RonJ has suggested and what I was also planning on doing.

tony_2018

its cold out, stay warm bro.

scottied15

iTrader: (1)

x2

TomCat39

Thank you Ron for suggesting spinning the wheel before removing the tire.

With it up in the air, sure enough the squeal happened in reverse, not so much forward.

So I popped the wheel off and pinpointed the sound to the brake caliper zone. Shone the flashlight in and around. The dust shield was not making contact anywhere but the squealer pin on the inside pad was making contact. There is still a fair amount of meat left on the pads (more on the outside pad than the inside). The pad isn't low enough to be concerned yet.

Interrestingly enough, the squealer pin barely made any sound going forward but sure squealed nicely going backward.

I bent it out a bit so it will be a bit longer before it starts squealing but plenty before the pad is gone and that sound is now resolved.

While I was there I checked the wheel bearing and found no play, no play in the steering rack. The tie rod is very secure, the ball joints both upper and lower don't have any noticeable play but I know my lower is quite worn and should be replaced relatively soon. Put the wheel back on and called it a day.

Thanks everyone, I love it when it's something simple especially right now.

Former User

Glad you figured it out TomCat. Those brakes indicators can make noise in unexpected ways.