Grinding noise! Bearing, brakes or half shaft on '97 I30?

[unistang]

Guys,

I'm getting a grinding noise coming from my front passenger side wheel. The only way i can accurately describe the sound is it sounds like the noise a warped rotor makes when it's first put on the brake lathe. I've checked the brakes and they are near new, but when i did take them apart I noticed that the anti-squeel plate on the back of one of the pads was loose. I have no vibration when applying the brakes at any speed. In addition it seems like this noise only happens after driving the car for a while. In other words, when i first start the car and start moving there is noise. I've also checked the CV boots and they are in tact with no leaks. I would think the cv's would make a clicking noise if that was the case anyways. Any ideas? I don't have money to be throwing around with repairs or else I would just start ruling things out cheapest to most expensive. I can do all of this work myself, I just don't know where to start.

Thanks,
Nick

[tigersharkdude]

is the noise more prominent at high speeds? If so, its probably a wheel bearing

[unistang]

The noise is only there at lower speeds. Once I go over about 30, it goes away.

[loystock]

Based on your description, most likely the wheel bearing. Have it replaced immediately or the hub may be damaged too.

[unistang]

Thanks for the input. Do you know why this sound disappears at higher speeds?

[loystock]

The wheel bearing supports radial and axial loads. When tracking straight at low speed, the radial load on the bearing is more on the lower part. So if there is an impending bearing failure, the grinding sound is more pronounced at lower speed. At higher speed, the radial load on the bearing is spread out, hence less noise.

Make sure your lug nuts are torqued correctly, @ 80 ft-lbs (loose lug nut may cause the bearing to fail prematurely). Safely jack up the suspected side and then grab the tire and try to move it side-to-side. If it is loose or there is some play, the bearing is bad and needs to be replaced. You might as well check the brake caliper and related pads and rotor while you are there.

[unistang]

Would no play still be indicative of a bad bearing? I remember this happened on the rear of my civic with no play and the bearing was still shot. Maybe its still very early? Also is there anything special about the disassembly of the hub from the vehicle? Special tools that u know of? I'm assuming just removing the upper ball joint, lower strut mount and tie rod end will remove the full knuckle from the car (after removing the brake components). Will I need a machine shop with a press to remove the hub from the knuckle or is this something I can do myself? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks man,
Nick

[unistang]

WTf?!?

Anyways... loystock - Having just bought this car, when I took the wheel off to check the brakes i put it back on to proper spec. I think the wheel may have been overtorqued on because the sound is gone now... weird. Thanks for all of your help though. I'll be taking that hub off if it comes back.

-Nick

[loystock]

I'm glad it worked out for you. I deleted the previous posting from "anyuta64" and banned him permanently for multiple postings with unrelated topics.

[sassenach101]

i have a 97 Maxima.. recently when i go on high speeds there is a grinding noise that comes from the back. usually on in the back,, on take off and around corners,,
when i park the car for a bit , it stops. sounds like plates grinding.. other then that the car runs fine