Help diagnose my sound

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by kickin_81, May 29, 2006.

  1. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    Last night, I began to hear a low-pitched metal on metal sound when the wheels are rolling forward. It's a hollow grinding sound but not the hollow sound that a blown wheel hub makes before it seizes. This sound is heard in gear and out of gear and isn't louder when I shift or anything. It's probably not the tranny (thank god) but I figure it's related to the brakes or wheel hub. Now that I think about it, it could very well be making the same sounds as if my brake pads are rubbing against the front rotors as I drive.

    Does anyone know what and where this sound is coming from? :( Thanks.:)
     
  2. SenorSubie
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    SenorSubie Well-Known Member

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    Wheel bearing?

    I know it was a problem on the older foresters, but I've heard nothing about the new ones having problems
     
  3. prezawagon
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    prezawagon Well-Known Member

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    Does the sound change at all if you turn? If so that could help narrow it down to which side it making the noise.
     
  4. SenorSubie
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    SenorSubie Well-Known Member

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    You may have a small rock wedged in between the pad and rotor
     
  5. TSTRBOY2004
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    TSTRBOY2004 Well-Known Member

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    maybe just the sounds of you squeeling like a little girl at the paintball even echoing inside your mind... :biggrin:
     
  6. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies, guys. This sound is very dim and not obtrusive so I can always fix later, but I can't stand having an inefficient hobby. It's gotta be perfect.

    I checked my pads today and they still have 3/4 of a centimeter left: that's a lot for a set of OEM pads on a car with 40,000 miles on the odo! I didn't see any streaking on the rotors so that throws the wedged rock out of it.

    When I lifted the front of the car in the air and spun the two wheels, I can hear the sound. I also noticed that it doesn't take very long until they come to a complete stop. It seems that the pad material is slightly pressing against the rotors making them audible. Is this normal? If so, am I just stubborn?
     
  7. Sogonerg
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    Sogonerg Anteater

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    could be that the caliper is not releasing to have enough space between the Rotors and Calipers...We had this issue on older Subarus, where the caliper is getting stuck and not releasing properly...Not for sure, just a guess
     
  8. TSTRBOY2004
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    TSTRBOY2004 Well-Known Member

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    if the caliper is sticking give it a slide service.... pull the caliper off and pull out the slides.. clean them off and re-grease them... also chamfer the pad edges while you ahve it all apart.. takes the sharp edges off which sometimes causes squeels or squeeks...
     
  9. kvang
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    kvang Well-Known Member

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    Damn, almost sounds like mine but mine is really intermitent. kinda like a klashing noise.hehehe but happened twice now since last friday at firestone. hmmm gotta lift it up and check..
     
  10. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    ^^good suggestion. I'll try the easiest and least costly route before I begin replacing anything. Maybe it does have a rock wedged in it... who knows.
     
  11. TSTRBOY2004
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    TSTRBOY2004 Well-Known Member

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    at least something has some rocks... not you but your car...:eek3: