Light grinding noise

sanofi · 4 Aug 2011 at 16:03

As of yesterday night I have noticed a slight but noticeable grinding noise coming from the drivers front side which I can feel vibrate through the pedals and is louder when the window is down.

It isn't constant but occurs at the start of a journey and mainly when making a sharp(ish) right turn as well as when applying the brakes.

However, this noise and the vibration goes away after a while.

It's a '01 Saab 93 conv, about 63k on the clock.

Any ideas what it could be? Is it worth taking it into a garage to have it checked out?

Matt82 · 4 Aug 2011 at 16:27

id guess from the description its a sticky calliper. definately worth getting sorted out unless youre happy with the noise and the possible consequences.

sanofi · 4 Aug 2011 at 16:29

Matt82 said:
id guess from the description its a sticky calliper. definately worth getting sorted out unless youre happy with the noise and the possible consequences.

Could you elaborate on what that is and what it does? Also is it an expensive/difficult fix?

NathWraith · 4 Aug 2011 at 16:57

sanofi said:
Could you elaborate on what that is and what it does? Also is it an expensive/difficult fix?

Either caliper or brake pads are totally gone. Probz worth checking if there is any material left on the pads as my Supra did the same thing a few weeks ago!

MrFunex · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:13

Wheel bearing perhaps..

Jack the car up and see if the offending wheel is hard to turn by hand, or rocks excessively from side to side.

Finglonga · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:14

Could be a wheel bearing on way out also and as it gets hot, expands slightly and therefore goes quiet. Will soon be a constant rumbling if it is as it wears.

Cosimo · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:23

A wheel bearing is certainly a possibility.

sanofi · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:25

I'll give the brake disc and pads a quick check first off. If it continues I guess I'll have to take it in for a checkup.

dfarrall · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:26

If its worse when braking your pads are likely gone.
if not, others more likely.

sanofi · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:34

dfarrall said:
If its worse when braking your pads are likely gone.
if not, others more likely.

I have to say during normal breaking, i don't hear/feel anything out of the ordinary.

Abraxaz1 · 4 Aug 2011 at 21:18

Id check the brake pads first, does the sound disappear when breaking.

If the brakes are the source, get some copper grease and apply to the "BACK" of the brake pad, Once applied rub disc down with clean cloth just encase you got some on the disc. Either ride the discs or hard break to bed the grease.

sanofi · 4 Aug 2011 at 23:11

After my drive home I didn't notice the sound to any great extent, if anything it has become somewhat of a loudish hum.

Fuzz · 4 Aug 2011 at 23:34

Please don't leave it until it gets this bad...

If you haven't a clue what is wrong it would suggest you do not have the means to fix it anyway so you are best off taking it to a garage and getting it looked at before it causes you
A, a bigger bill
B, an accident