of a few sounds/noises/effects that are coming from my front right wheel area.

Just jacked up the car and removed the wheel to sort out something small in relation to the side light. She's on slightly wider than factory 18 inch wheels so I had to remove the wheel to gain access to the fog light cluster area.

As I was in the process of completing that task, I had noticed some strange sounds or noises that occurred that were related to the movement and rotation of the wheel and hub. Take a look at these two videos to see what I mean..





In the first video, with the car in neutral with the handbrake pulled up, you can hear the slight dragging noise as the wheel is rotated, you will also noticed that, that dragging noise is not completely even throughout a complete rotation of the wheel. (you may have to raise the volume to listen)

In the second video, you can see that there is some play when the axle is moved clockwise and counter clockwise and there is also some clicking or clacking noise as well. This was taken also with the transmission in neutral and the handbrake on.

Now I'm not so much concerned about the dragging noise itself, but rather, if that uneveness is an indication of a worn part. Of course, also the play observed in video two.

Basically, these noises were not evident the last time I had had a look at the wheel area the same way 1500 miles prior to today.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Really hope someone with exceptional knowledge to chime in.. :(

 

To me, the first vid sounds like fairly normal brake stuff- some times when you have a hard stop or 'spirited driving sesh' and pull into the drive way and stay on the brake the pad will imprint onto the hot rotor. In bad cases it'll fuse to the rotor or catch fire of cause the pedal to pulse or warp the disc or a million other terrible things, but if its not bad itll create a temporary crappy spot on the rotor.

-I'd take the car out and do some controlled stopping from 30mph-50mph and check it again. concentrate on whether or not the brake pedal pulses under your foot, and if your sub 15mph deceleration rate is smooth.

the other one sounds like your diff engaging the other front wheel- also normal.

- just to be cautious, i'd check your cv's for tears in the boots, slung out grease, etc. and grab the shaft and see if there's play in the joints- a tiny amount is normal wear, so don't worry too much.

and remember, its like web md- if someone mentions the similar symptom on the forum, it doesn't mean your car has a brain tumor. I buy way too many parts based on weird noises and stuff i read on the forum, even though my car's fine.

 

Judging by that lip on the rotor, and the crappy video, I'd say you were very close to needing new pads and rotors.

The second vid is normal vehicle operation.

 

x2 on that thinking here.

The scratchy brake sound is normal.. must likely low pads, or a shifted shim.. Could even be a small rock stuck in the dust shield.

The knocking sound is just normal trans noise with no power applied.

 

Awesome, lots of information to think about.

I don't know if engaging in the pad-bedding procedure would be a good idea since it does appear to me now that my rotors are quite low. Just a little put off that the brake pad wear sensor hasn't come on yet and there still isn't any squeaking from the pads (I actually don't know if you're supposed to use them down to that level).

I suspected seized pistons from the dragging noise but have observed that a few other cars I've worked with produced the same effect on their rotors. Definitely should've looked deeper.

Anyway, guess I'll fork out the money and pick up some rotors and pads and go from there. I seriously hope the howling in my cabin's not from a wheel bearing.

 

A seized piston would likely be much more noticable than that. Your car would pull, the wheel would be more difficult to turn, and the pad wear would be very uneven both R/L and inner and outer. keep an eye on your mpg. The pad wear sensor won't light until it's really really really at the end of its life. There's a spec on pad min thickness and rotor thickness, you could measure that without taking your wheel off.

 

New pads and rotors will go a long way if you haven't done them. I still have a grumbling or whirring noise at low speed, wheel bearings are fine. I've heard of retightening bolts in the subframe, may be something to check.