Grinding noise coming from front driver side., Getting on my nerves. Options

[Delta_Phoenix]

I have been having problems out of my Celica lately. I have the USDM ST model with the 7A-FE engine and 5-speed transmission. The first problem has been going on for around a year now. I'm hearing a grinding noise coming from the front driver side wheel. It only happens when I turn right. If I'm going straight, I hear a faint whistling that is only noticeable at low speeds. Along with the noise, the grinding can be FELT right under my feet. This grinding sound started as a loud and extremely violent popping noise that would only occur whenever I gave it more than around half throttle when taking off. At WOT, the popping would persist throughout 3rd gear, and would disappear completely in 4th and 5th. My first thought was the CV axle. I checked the boot for cracks and any signs of leaking. The axle looks to be in perfect working order. I have also checked the engine mounts, wheel bearings, and struts and found nothing out of the ordinary. Over time the popping ceased completely, and I was left with a grinding noise. At low speeds, the grinding is slow and sends a chill up my spine. At higher speeds, the grinding sounds more like the tire rubbing the inside of the fender (which I have also checked, and found that I have plenty of clearance). The fact that the grinding speeds up and slows down leans me back toward the CV axle. I replaced both axles around 2½ years ago. My mechanic said it was a bearing in my transmission, but I find this hard to believe since it only happens when the weight of the car is transferred to the driver side. The transmission still shifts smooth, and I'm having no clutch problems. I'm stumped.

[macavely]

i would recheck your axles ...

[sugarfree]

brakes? um nvm i had to re-read.

This post has been edited by sugarfree: Jan 5, 2006 - 6:43 PM

[Celiracer18]

the same exact thing happened to me and also on my pass. side and it turned out to be sticky calipers or atleast the newones fixed all that

[Delta_Phoenix]

Hmm. Next time I'm out I'll try applying the brakes lightly while I'm turning to see if a different sound is produced. I did check to make sure that there were no rocks or other objects stuck in my brakes. I'm doubting this is what it is, but it's worth a shot.

[Agent21]

I'd have a hard core bet on the calipers. Or if you have really crappy pads it might be them.

[Delta_Phoenix]

The noise doesn't change at all under braking. I haven't checked the calipers. I wouldn't really know what to look for. Brakes aren't my strong point on a car. The pads were replaced at the dealership, and still look quite healthy.

The only thing I have noticed that makes me wonder is my driver side CV half-shaft. The end that's going into the differential has a bit of play to it. Meaning I can grab the axle, and move it in and out of the differential about a quarter of an inch. The opposite side doesn't do this.

[JonCars17]

I had noises coming from my cars driver's side mainly when I turned. I had it checked out and fixed. It was my axles. I asked them to check the passenger side aswell and they were going bad too.

[Delta_Phoenix]

I guess I'll pull the axles tomorrow. I'm leaving for college Wednesday so this will have to be a rushed job. The axles are only a couple years old, and I ran into no trouble while I was changing them out. Blah. Of all the things I have to do, does it have to include pulling the axles out?

[Agent21]

You might wanna throw some tranny fluid in there or like a drain and fill if you see any shavings or anything.

[macavely]

yesterday i went to change my rotors and pads.. i was hearing the grinding nosie ... think it was time to change everything .. well i noticed that dust sheild was making contact with the inner part of the rotor .. i had to cut the sheild ... nosie gone ..

[JFrost9]

just gonna throw out a random guess...cuz i had a grinding noise and checked all of my brakes and axles and what not, turned out just to be a power-steering issue, so maybe that could be it?

[Delta_Phoenix]

You might wanna throw some tranny fluid in there or like a drain and fill if you see any shavings or anything.

My mechanic checked that when I had him look at it. I took a look too. The fluid looked like it had came straight from the bottle. I'm in college now, but if I get some spare time, I'll do another check. Thanks for suggestion.

yesterday i went to change my rotors and pads.. i was hearing the grinding nosie ... think it was time to change everything .. well i noticed that dust sheild was making contact with the inner part of the rotor .. i had to cut the sheild ... nosie gone ..

Did the grinding happen only when you turned? And did the rotor have any obvious wear on it from the shield rubbing it?

just gonna throw out a random guess...cuz i had a grinding noise and checked all of my brakes and axles and what not, turned out just to be a power-steering issue, so maybe that could be it?

Do you know exactly what was causing it?

[quicknstyle]

id check your hub and bearings again... maybe your bearing are good but your hub is just not grabbing your bearing... thats what was happening to me, youve got a 94... its just about that time man

[macavely]

yesterday i went to change my rotors and pads.. i was hearing the grinding nosie ... think it was time to change everything .. well i noticed that dust sheild was making contact with the inner part of the rotor .. i had to cut the sheild ... nosie gone ..

Did the grinding happen only when you turned? And did the rotor have any obvious wear on it from the shield rubbing it?

it was all the time.. but got super loud when i would turn to the left ... the slower i would more the worse the grinding would get.... and no the rotor didn't have any visable damage .. cause its was the inner part of the rotor is was hitting .. the part that srounds the hub .. that the part that makes contact with the barke pads..

[Delta_Phoenix]

While driving around campus today, I noticed a faint and brief whistling whenever letting out of the throttle completely, and then again when applying throttle. It only happens if I have it in gear, and sounds like it's coming from the driver front like the rest of the noises. I hope my Celica lasts through college =(

[My2Celi]

im went through the same thing u did last week. it was making a lota noise when i steer to the left and when im steering straight or right the sound reduced. but its coming from my passenger side. i took a look at my bearings and its rusty like f*$%. so i replaced it and now its gone . same for my mr2. Got the part for 77bucks and to get it installed was $30. hope this helps. (oreilly)

This post has been edited by My2Celi: Feb 11, 2006 - 2:14 AM

[o0black0o]

CV Shaft, If it grinding and clicking when you turn to the left if it passager side I think, change it.