I have a 04 MCS that has a grinding type noise when going less than 15 mph. It appears to be coming from the driver side front. I can not hear it faster than 15 mph and it seems to be worse when cold. The dealer first said it was a wheel hub. I replaced it and the noise was still there. Next the dealer said it was just tire noise. Which I do hear the tire noise but most of it is at 15 mph or more. This is more of a metal sound that does not vary with or without braking. Is there something in the gearbox that can make this type of noise? Or other suggestions to look for.

Thank you!

 

The noise could be coming from the tires. I had the same metalic grinding noise at slow speed (10MPH and under) coming from the OEM Goodyear tires that came with my wife's Camry. How do I know that the tires where the source of the noise? I was skeptical but two things convinced me: 1) When the tires were rotated the noise would go away for a few hundred miles but always return. 2) Eventually the tires wore out and with the new set of tires the noise hasn't returned. I'm now on my 3rd set of tires and no more noise. It's weird but true.

retroom

 

I did rotate the tires and the noise did not seem to change. I hope it is the tires, but without changing them I will not be sure.

 

I have a metallic grinding noise too but only when hard acceleration and for a few seconds, dont know what it is though.

 

try cruising in neutral and/ or shutting down the engine completely while rolling and see if you hear the noise then, if you do then its likley not the tranny but something on the hub/spindle rubbing, or perhaps some component of the brakes.

better yet, jack the front tire up and turn it manually, an old trick to check the front wheel bearings on RWD cars is to put something solid ie wooden stick on the wheel while you turn it and touch the other end of the stick to you head (be careful of course) and listen/feel for any vibrations.

 

The noise is the same in gear or out of gear. Have not tried it with the car off.

 

+1
Had the same grinding sound - dealer went through hell before we finally figured out it was the friggin' tires (Goodyear RSA). I was just amazed that a TIRE could make that noise. At low speed, you hear the grind. At higher speed, you hear the tread.
Skinman, do you have any motorers near you that could loan you a set of tires to test?