grinding noise, front wheel

[Wimbledonian]

Awful, awful metal on metal grinding sound from the front driver's wheel or axle today. Sounded like something had slipped to where it would rub against the moving wheel or axle. I was able to accelerate and that cured it, only for the awful loud grinding to reappear at low speed. I could actually feel the friction coming up through the floor.


Took the wheel off and the brake pads are not too far gone. And there's no slack or wobble in the bearing as far as I can tell. The car has only done 26000 miles, so I wouldn't expect a wheel bearing fail. And the handling was not affected, I just didn't want to drive with this screeching sound. Also, it did not appear to change with steering or braking.

Left the car and came back to it and the sound started again a few yards down the road. Any ideas?

 

[cadman2k]

grinding noise

Its not a stone that has got between the brake disc dust protecterand thedisc itself is it?i know thats a common issue in the winter with grit that causes terrible sounding noises, worth a check?

 

[Wimbledonian]

sounds possible... maybe get the wheel off and brush it out..

 

[CrispDust]

ditto - stone wedged against disc somewhere.

 

[Wimbledonian]

Thanks, guys. I must have dislodged it because no noise now thank goodness. First car I've ever had that has had that issue. I thought the shielding behind the disks was supposed to keep crap out.