TheOnlyBaleki

Hey all,

First let me say that I've been reading the forums for a while now and appreciate the knowledgeable people on here. I've saved more than a couple of bucks thanks to this site.

This problem started pretty suddenly. I crossed an intersection and heard kind of a popping noise. I thought it was the car in front of me and continued driving a few blocks. By then I was noticing a loud grinding/squealing and figured it had to be me. I pulled over and sure enough it was. I noticed the sound from the front passenger wheel.

From a complete stop, the sound starts as a few clunks then progresses to the grinding. I towed my car home and jacked it up hoping it was the dust shield but after looking at those components, nothing seems out of place. Checked for play in the wheel and nothing. Since I had the front end in the air I decided to check the drivers side too. Same noise, reverse or forward. Here are some videos that I took of the noise. Any ideas?

Akhafeez

did you just put those wheels on?

phister

Sounds like wheel bearing issue. Or if you just put the wheels on then the lug bolts might be hitting the braking system.

TheOnlyBaleki

The wheels were put on in mid-October and there's less than a 1000 miles on them. There was no noise immediately after installation or up until a few days ago.

Phister, I thought it could be a wheel bearing issue too. I tried shaking both wheels to check for any play in them and they're both solid.

What gets me is that the noise is the same on both sides of the car. I forgot to mention its a 4matic. I'm hoping its not a differential or axle issue.

TheOnlyBaleki

Could low diff oil be the cause? The car has 123k on it and was a few days past the 'A' service according to the service reminder.

samaritrey

I would take off wheel and see what noises are made. To me it sounds very tinny like dust shields to be honest.

Javvy

you could also have some stone or grime stuck between the shield and the rotors or wedged between the pads and the rotors, take the wheels off and do the same and pin point the noise location.....

TheOnlyBaleki

Thanks for the suggestions. Took the wheels off and checked again. Lo and behold, a rock got stuck between the rotor and dust shield. Don't I feel like dummy So now the god awful grinding is gone but I noticed something else.

With the wheels off I was able to check the brakes a little more thoroughly and I noticed that the pads are still in contact with the rotor. This is on both front wheels. I'm assuming stuck calipers? It's fairly cold out if that makes a difference.

phister

Is the rotor still spinning freely? The brake pads usually are making contact with the rotors all the time. Its how they're designed. If the wheels are freely spinning then it's no concern.

Javvy

+1^ to what he said