Brake Grind - Not a pad/rotor problem

[jongreenway]

Alright, so after I drive around for 15 mins using the brakes, I start to get a grind noise from the front right (it's winter here so I guess it's when the brakes/car gets warm?). It's not a constant grind as I apply the brakes, it seems to be as the wheel turns it grinds at a certain spot. Also, I only hear it when I brake softly (I brake hard and everything sounds fine). It's to the point where I can be at a stop and then slowly start to remove the brake and I hear the noisy rubbing/grind each time the wheel rotates to a certain spot.

At first, when the problem started, I took it to the local oil change/basic auto shop and the mechanic told me that my drive axel is bent so the caliper is moving around as braking. He said the noise is rubber on rubber.

He told me I needed new axels (and since my car is a 97 I'll need new wheel bearings ### they are all rusted on). He insisted I was in an accident that caused it because it's not a wear and tear thing. Reality, is, I wasn't in an accident and didn't hit a curb or anything (i was in an accident 2 years ago but that can't be anything to do with it now).

AFTER that, he told me the problem could be my transmission and even after fixing the axels that it could not even fix the problem and I'd need a tranny job (#$^@@)

Anyway, after a $1,200 quote I need to do my research and find out if this is actually the case.

He told me there is nothing wrong with the brake pads or rotors or calipers themselves. Also, it is only happening on the front left.

Any ideas of what could be wrong? What should I get looked at next?

 

[crimsondragon]

Does it sound like a kinda squeaking? I currently have the same problem as you but I haven't been able to jack her up and check it out. My sound comes from the driver side I believe and it also sounds at a certain brake pressure as well.

 

[jongreenway]

Kind of a squeaking yes. Not a metal on metal squeal though. It's hard to describe. Sounds like more of a rotor being grinded because of a brake pad needing replacement. But it's not continuous, it's only on light pressure braking at low speeds, and only at a certain point as the wheel rotates (not a constant noise as braking)

 

[dsmmike50t]

When my wheel bearing started to go. I was getting a squeking sound all the time and some scratches on the rotor. Dosen't hurt to check.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Check your dust shields to make sure they're not contacting the rotor. Maybe just tweak them a little bit and then drive it. You may have to keep bending it and drive it until you get it just right. Maybe this can help, or maybe it won't, but it might be worth a try.

 

[crimsondragon]

I don't think it's the wheel bearings. From what I read, they make a humming noise. This is what I dig up.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/problem-diagnosis/172176-determine-noise-caliper-wheel-bearing.html
It's either the calipers or the brake pads. Occasionally when I brake, it'll lean really hard to the right. So either there's something wrong with the pads or the caliper is working only half the time.

 

[jongreenway]

Check your dust shields to make sure they're not contacting the rotor. Maybe just tweak them a little bit and then drive it. You may have to keep bending it and drive it until you get it just right. Maybe this can help, or maybe it won't, but it might be worth a try.

I'm pretty new to working on cars. Can you provide a picture of where the dust shields are located?

 

[jongreenway]

When my wheel bearing started to go. I was getting a squeking sound all the time and some scratches on the rotor. Dosen't hurt to check.

I only get the noise when I brake, so could it still be the wheel bearing? I'll still put it up on the jacks and check on it but just wondering in advance.

The mechanic told me that he thinks that either
a) Tranny is messed up so it is turning the axle on a bit of an angle, causing the angle to be shifted with the brake causing something to rub on light braking at certain points during the wheels rotation
b) The axle is bent causing it to turn on a bit of an angle causing the same problem in part a).

Is there any way to test is the axle is bent?

 

[dsmmike50t]

To check the wheel bearing just jack it up enough to get the tire off the ground and then wiggle the tire back and forth, the tire shouldn't move at all. When I tried that out on my last wheel bearing it was obvious something was wrong.

BTW I had my axle rebuilt once and only paid 75, you should try pulling it out and getting an axle rebuilder to check it out for you.