i drive a 95 civic ex coupe with no engine mods other than a strut bar and its dropped on eibach pro-kits, stock shocks, and 95 gsr rims. Today, i drove up to my garage and when i was driving, heard this loud metal grinding noise. IT was like to metal saw blades scratching each other, similar to 2 knives going against another. The noise is definatly on the front drivers side and seems to be coming from the wheel area. My clutch doesnt seem isnt slipping and the noise occurs during when i push in the clutch somemtimes, presssing gas a bit and letting off. Also, only happens in the beginning of first gear. Any help or ideas are greatly appreciated. Sorry for the LONG post. Thanks

 

Brake pad wear indicator

 

yep time for new front pads.

 

probably not because that sound continues for a while at all speeds then stops. It is most likely rocks or gravel that gets caught up in between your rotors and pads. then at high speeds it is flung out. Im willing to bet that you have sand nearby your driveway.

 

i wouldn't throw that out. my brake wear indicator was screeching even when i wasn't braking. it would do it when i was driving normally, but it wasn't as noticable. but when i would brake, i knew wat it was. i bet its ur brake wear indicator. take of the wheel, and look at the pad. or bring it to a place that does free brake inspections.

 

Seems like each time my brake pads wear out, the indicators behave a little differently. Once they made this groaning sound only when I was backing up, and no sound when I was braking. So the brakes were the last thing I checked Brake pads are so easy to check, you ought to look at them.

 

from your description of when it happens, i would guess clutch release bearing

 

hmm, well i guess it could be both. I do have some heavy rough construction roads on the way to my house i drive on each day. But the thing is, i had Honda check out my brake pads 3 weeks ago and they said about 40% left in the front and 20% on the back. What does the clutch release bearing do?

 

do you have pads or shoes in the back? cuz i heard that u should replace your shoes every two times u replace ur pads. so in that case, the next time u get pads, it looks like you should replace ur shoes.

 

it def is not the clutch throwout bearing. then it would make nosie when you stepped on the clutch pedal. I still have my money on the rocks and sand. I could be wrong but i dont think i am

 

rock in rotor? happened to me twice.

 

happens to me almost everyday. as soon as i hit aboput 50mph you can hear the rock come loose then fall out

 

well i hope its just rocks because i have no money to spend on repairs right now. It shouldnt be the breaks, because i had them checked out 3 weeks ago. So i guess rocks are the only other explanation? that's a terrible scary sound though for just a rock to be stuck there.

 

but even if it is a rock, i'm sure thats not good for the rotor. it could possibly be making a indentation on the rotor, in other words, warping them. which in the end, will cost more then replacing brake pads. take the wheel off and inspect, cuz either way, it's prolly damaging the rotor wheter it be a rock, or the metal from a the brake wear indicator.

 

is the sound metal spring...or some kindof metal scratching sound?? if it is, it could be your shock boot(which is metal) rubbing against your springs...this happened to me while ago...it happens time to time(but rarely)...then goes away completely....