Horrible rubbing sounds! My car needs major help!

[Mikeys_Taurus]

Hi all. Ok here's the deal. When I turn the wheel to the right and the car is in motion, the left wheel makes a sound like the rotor is scraping. I know it's not the tires, but I just don't know what to look for. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance. - Mike

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[RStalveyARFF]

is the noise happening only when you are moving the steering wheel, or when the actual left wheel is moving?

 

[jthomas68]

If it`s a loud scraping sound,check the dust shield.Mine got bent for absolutely no reason and i just had to bend it back.

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Jeremy Thomas
Juiced 91+
SHO Pic Of The Week:

 

[sdpatt]

Is the sound coincident with the tire rotation or the steering wheel being turned? If it is with the tire, you may have worn bearings allowing the tire to change axis, but I'll bet you are talking about a loud scrunching noise as you turn the steering wheel. That would most likely be the upper spring pad from the left front strut (by your description) that is rubbing against the inside of the strut tower. The colder weather brings this out because it makes the rubber less pliable. The solution is to get some silicone grease (Sil-Glyde) between the rubber pad and the metal tower. I turn the wheels to each side to allow me to reach up in there with a rubber gloved hand with the silicone grease on a fingertip.


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Scott

1991, 254K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show

 

[RStalveyARFF]

I do not want to start a flame-war here, but Scott, please do me a favor.... Do not repeat what I ask just by using more complex terminology. I know you are trying to be helpful, but it gets on a TON of people's nerves when you repeat what they say, just in more technical terms. Sorry to be the one to bring this out, but maybe it could be a new year's resolution. Thanks

 

[sdpatt]

SHO91MTX,

I'm sorry if you feel ****** on by that, but I certainly did not do it to irritate you or anyone else. If I rephrase the information provided, it is for the clarification of MY understanding of the condition. If you re-read my earlier post, you will see that I repeated the same two situations you mentioned, worded in my way of understanding, to be able to give a possible cause of each. I don't know everything about the SHO, but I am sure willing to learn as much as I can.

Scott



[This message has been edited by sdpatt (edited 01-12-2002).]

 

[Mikeys_Taurus]

Well it is the wheel bearing. It's an odd thing though because it never made a sound before until the one day when it went nuts, but now that I think of it, it has kinda felt like the brakes were constantly scraping on that wheel.

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[RStalveyARFF]

damn, something I would have never thought of. Here is a way to check for suspension components and wear issues. For bearings, jack the wheel off the ground, and push the top of the tire toward the car. If there is movement, your bearings are going. For tie rods, you must lightly touch the tire to the ground, and grasp the tire at 9 and 3. move it back and forth, trying to turn the wheels, and feel for play. You can also check balljoints buy the 6-12 method of movement.

 

[sdpatt]

My right front wheel bearings failed at 240,000 miles. When I applied the brakes, it sounded like there weren't any brake pads and the caliper was grinding into the rotor. I checked the looseness of the wheel several times. As the noise got worse, the play in the wheel became very obvious. By that time, though, the hub had been gouged and also needed to be replaced.

Let me know how you have them replaced. I got screwed by taking the car to a, believe it or not, Ford dealer. They had to contract out the pressing of the bearings because their hydraulic press wasn't strong enough. It took them three days and they failed to properly torque one of the hub nuts. I had to tiptoe the car back to them to get them to finish the job. A great reminder of why I do most of my own work.

Scott