Okay, here goes...

I have experienced 'noisy' front brakes since my last autocross. Noisy meaning a bit squealy on light pressure that went away with more pressure, but there was also a slight grinding felt through the pedal/wheel when at or near full stop. Again, moderate to light pedal pressure.

Grinding, well I will pull the brakes apart and see what I can see. Squeal, I figured that they got a little glazed, so I pulled them to sand the rotor/pad and re-bed.

Everything went as expected with the brakes. Disassemble, sand, reassemble. Driver side was good, nothing crazy. Passenger side everything was kosher except...

I grabbed the caliper to shove it back over the rotor and the whole assembly shifted laterally. As in grabbed it at 9 and 3 and it had .25" to .5" of play left to right.

Movement seems to be related to the tie rod end. That was the simple diagnosis, but could the hub/bearings be gone too?

I have never experienced grinding d/t a bad tie rod end.

Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

Specs: 2004 R53 JCW with standard sized brakes, 50K on the odo.

 

Grinding is most likely wheel bearings or something stuck in the brakes. I've seen OEM brake pads get so hot they crack and cause grinding noises.