Nasty grinding noise...

[1glaserturbo]

Ok, in another thread I explained how I got a new 1st gen talon, blah blah. Well when I bought the car I went into it knowing there was a grinding noise coming from the front driver's side wheel. My first thought was a loose axle, but I was wrong. Could a bad wheel bearing cause this disgusting noise? I mean...it's really really bad.....and nothing else is really wrong with that whole hub assembly. Help

 

[95TalonOwner]

Could be either bad bearings or horrible brakes.

 

[Woodsy0]

More information would help.

Is the sound dependant on vehicle speed (does it get louder/more intense/faster as you accelerate)?
Does the sound change/go away when you hit the brakes?
Are the wheels stock or are they aftermarket (could have fitment issues due to a change in offset, rubbing somewhere on the fenderwell or caliper area)?

When I had a bad wheel bearing, it was more of a grumbling/rumble sound that was vehicle speed dependant than any kind of actual grinding noise, so I'm disinclined to think that would be the problem area. In any event, a quick and dirty way to check your wheel bearings for wear is to grab the wheel and viciously pull back and forth. It shouldn't move much at all.

You said you checked to see if the axle was loose as it joins to the transmission, did you also check the axle boots for kinks or tears, or any axle grease spots?

 

[1glaserturbo]

The noise is more of a grumbling sound and isn't like a constant, but does increase in speed. I think it might actually have something to do with the brake caliper, there is a little rubbing on the top half of the disk that isn't normal at all. I'll have to further my inspection.