rubbing noise in front left of car

**Jackel** · 28-08-2006, 06:58 PM

Howdy people i've got this annoying rubbing noise at the front left of my car thats getting quite annoying and i need to get rid of it. It doesn't sound like metal to metal. Its a constant noise but theres two slightly different sounds. So i think something could be bent or warped.

It doesn't make the noise stationary with the engine running so it's got to do with something around the wheel. The noise appears after about 30km/h or it's constant and i just can't hear it driving slow.

So far I've changed:

tyres
wheel bearing

The only problems i could think of is that the rotor is warped and it's rubbing on the brake pad. But looking by eye it looks alright.

help

**Robert** · 28-08-2006, 07:03 PM

Check disc run-out with a dial indicator.

It could be numerous things.

What does the noise sound like?

What kind of car is it?

What kind of suspension System?

What mods? ie wider tyres, etc.

Cheers, Rob

**Stu** · 28-08-2006, 07:06 PM

It could be your wheel bearings or, like you've suggested, your brakes. Brake pads often rub on the disc. Even if you can't tell by sight, your disc could be rubbing. Try jacking up the front and spinning the wheel slowly. Another solution could be to clean the brake dust away from the pistons as that can reduce the amount that the piston retracts into the caliper.

**Jackel** · 28-08-2006, 07:18 PM

i don't have a dial indicator and dunno what it is?
the noise sounds like a rubbing noise, in a way sounds like a flat tyre but less dense.
If had a look at the disk and pad and the brake pad is touching the disk when stationary. I can still move the disk around but should the brake pad be touching the disk?

**kingmick** · 28-08-2006, 07:30 PM

take the discs of get them skimmed and throw a new set of pads in.

**STR8 2.8** · 28-08-2006, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jackel

If had a look at the disk and pad and the brake pad is touching the disk when stationary. I can still move the disk around but should the brake pad be touching the disk?

this is normal for a disc brake. as long as its not actually grabbing its ok

**Jackel** · 28-08-2006, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by kingmick

take the discs of get them skimmed and throw a new set of pads in.

how long does that take and usually how much?

**jonra23** · 28-08-2006, 07:43 PM

Brake pads will apear to be touching the discs, there is no mechanical retraction of disc pads other than the pistons seals retracting very slightly.

Does your disc have any scores in it?, if you are driving and put very light pressure on the brake pedal does the noise change?, does the brake pedal have any light pulsating in it? if answer to all of those is no most likely not your brakes.

Your profile says you have an ra63, so guess the problem is on that car?

regards
jon

**Jackel** · 28-08-2006, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by jonra23

Does your disc have any scores in it?, if you are driving and put very light pressure on the brake pedal does the noise change?, does the brake pedal have any light pulsating in it? if answer to all of those is no most likely not your brakes.

Your profile says you have an ra63, so guess the problem is on that car?

regards
jon

I havnt tried that will try tonight and see what happens.

The disk is quite tight to move i need to apply abit of force to rotate it. How much are the pad spose to touch?

Yep it's on the ra63

**jonra23** · 28-08-2006, 08:07 PM

If you need to put a bit of force on to turn it your pads are binding or your wheel bearing is too tight.

regards
jon

**Jackel** · 28-08-2006, 08:09 PM

Ok tried braking and the noise is still the same as driving does that mean it's not the brakes?

**Stu** · 28-08-2006, 09:14 PM

Possibly not, but don't rule it out.

The brakes sound like they should be given a once over as they aren't turning freely. Get some brake cleaner onto the pistons. Carefully push them out enough to clean off the deposits around the top of the piston. Use a tooth brush and brake cleaner. Perhaps get some copper grease onto the contacting parts of the pad (pad to caliper not pad to disc

). Reassemble them (push the piston/s back in first), give the pedal a couple of pumps then try and spin them.

While the wheel is off, look around for any scuff marks. Look at the tyre for some sort of odd wear too. Pay attention to items such as the strut and brake line. I've had a brake line that was wearing on the tyre due to some moron that couldn't install in properly.

Hope this helps