Scraping sound from front driver wheel

LISTER89

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I can't figure it out. I thought my brakes were just low, but they still had half left. Pretty much only happens when cold, and when I take my foot off the gas without pushing the brakes.

It's a metal-on-metal scraping noise.

Added a video.

Video (Click to make bigger)

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That is definitely metal to metal. However, we are going to have to assume that the noise speeds up and slows down with the rotation of the wheel. The only reason is, we don't know what speed you were going but if the noise is slowing as you are slowing down then that is going to be something that is rotating the same speed as the tire and wheel.

This could be rotor, hub/bearing, or axle making the noise.

The best way to find this is to put the front end on jack stands and run the vehicle so that you can inspect the different components to find out what the issue is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

I am thinking the issue is a bearing and the way to test this would be to get the noise happening and then start swerving back and forth and if the noise gets better or goes away when loading one side or the other then that side with the weight on it is the issue.

Please run through this and let's see what turns up and we can go from there.

Thanks