MK4 Mondeo, metal scraping noise from FNS wheel

snips86x · 6 Sep 2016 at 09:33

Driving home from work yesterday, I heard the most horrific noise of metal scraping metal and what sounded like something dragging.

I pulled over, full lock left/right but couldn't see anything loose. Popped into a garage and was able to replicate the noise in the car park. He suggested it could be the heat shield on the ball joint.

When i got home I took the wheel off and checked the heat shield, it wasn't bent or touching the brakes.

- It's intermittent
- Not consistent with speed/braking
- Happens Randomly but if I pull away in 1st (slowly) and give the accelerator a push and quick release, I can hear it
- Discs are not discoloured
- No play in the wheel when jacked

I've got a mate who's going to help me take the disc off this week and have a look but I could do with some idea.

ci_newman · 6 Sep 2016 at 14:07

IME, this is usually because the brake pads are worn / wearing down to the metal.

Nasher · 6 Sep 2016 at 14:36

Probably a stone trapped under the pad. I've had this a few times after driving on re-surfaced roads.

snips86x · 6 Sep 2016 at 14:42

ci_newman said:
IME, this is usually because the brake pads are worn / wearing down to the metal.

Well the disc isn't carbonised so I ruled this out. There's plenty of meat left on them as well but if it comes off or I have time to stop at a garage, I'll get them checked.

Nasher said:
Probably a stone trapped under the pad. I've had this a few times after driving on re-surfaced roads.

When I removed the wheel and spun the disk, I could still hear a scraping so you could be right. I'm going to try and get the disc of this week to check.

It's not happened this morning driving to work, will see what its like driving home.

Howard · 6 Sep 2016 at 14:45

It's probably a stone stuck either in the caliper or between the disk and the backing plate.

rodenal · 6 Sep 2016 at 15:03

Yeah I'd be giving the heat shield a bit of a battering /poking with a long screwdriver as a first attempt - then start removing the caliper if it doesn't help

snips86x · 6 Sep 2016 at 21:17

Well I've driven it a fair bit today and not a sodding thing :rolleyes:

Typical!!

Dis86 · 6 Sep 2016 at 21:31

Stone between disc and backing plate would be my guess.

snips86x · 6 Sep 2016 at 21:33

Dis86 said:
Stone between disc and backing plate would be my guess.

Certainly didn't sound like it but I think the suggestion could be correct. I would expect it to be more frequent if it was a brake issue and exasperated when braking.

Dav4 · 6 Sep 2016 at 21:54

I've had the exact same thing on my Focus ST! In the 12 months I've had it its maybe happened about 5 separate times and I still haven't found a solution. It's a really loud metal grinding sound when moving off in 1st and even in 2nd gear last time it carried on for a few minutes and went away after a few minutes. It's embarrassing it's that loud everyone was looking at me in the car park last time it happened asking "what the hell is that" lol
I've had it checked over and have fairly new brakes all round and wheel bearings etc and still cannot find a solution.
I'll be interested to see if you can cure it