Trying to verify an issue that has cropped up:

Really bad grinding metal on metal noise coming from the right front wheel area. It is especially noticable from a dead stop and almost sounds like the pads have a rock stuck in them. The noise appears to be louder/more noticable on a left hand turn vs right, but is a definite metal on metal grind and not a whir type sound. It is hard to tell at highway speeds due to the crappy exhaust the previous owner cobbled together. It also is present if coasting, accelerating or clutch engaged/disengaged and frequency/loudness level matches the speed rate.

I already pulled the wheel and caliper to do a quick check. I did not notice any deep grooves as if a rock or foreign object was present. The outer pad has a lot less material left in comparison to the inner pad (maybe half?) and the pads were new when I bought the car 2 years and 40k miles ago. I lubed the slide pins and put it all back, but the noise is still present.

While up on stands, there is no noticable wobble but it definitely does not feel like the assembly turns smoothly. I am guessing on a worn right front wheel bearing, but looking for input on it before I pull it all apart. While $$ on preventative side does not really bother me, I would prefer to throw it at a solution rather than a guess.

BTW according to the previous owner and my mechanic when he replaced the trans a while back, the CV axles look new-ish and the boots are in great shape.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Guess I know where my 5 hours of free time is going this weekend...

 

Have you inspected the clearance from your brake shield to the rotor? Often times the shield comes close to the rotor when heating up, or if it gets bent during any work around the caliper area.

 

By no noticable wobble what do you mean and it sounds like a wheel bearing to me