Grinding noise from front left wheel

[Iron Chef]

I'm trying to wrap my head around a scary-sounding metallic "grinding" noise, coming from the front left wheel.

It doesn't occur on normal daily driving. I only noticed it on my first off-road adventure, where it would sound on particularly gnarly dips, even at low speeds (less than 5mph). It doesn't happen consistently though.

Since then, I have also occasionally noticed it on normal streets under certain conditions:

• Sometimes sharp left turns (or U-turns) could do it.
• Sometimes going up ramps at a higher-than-typical speeds
• Sometimes when going over bumps (when I brake too late and approach the bump at higher-than-comfortable speed).

In all scenarios, I believe braking was involved in generating the noise (to avoid taking any of the above at unsafe speeds).

• 
  For example, if I simply drive over a the same bump without braking to slow down, I don't recall ever hearing the noise.

The frustrating thing was that this noise does not consistently appear. Until recently, when I did some extensive testing on a empty parking lot. I was able to consistently generate this noise under these conditions:

• Accelerating to around 25mph
• Braking, and simultaneously turn left (somewhat sharply)

And I was able to record clips of various attempts, and hear several variations of this noise, and uploaded this youtube video:

• 4runner grinding

<iframe width="1404" height="799" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_S9OGOdbgo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Does anyone have an idea what this noise is? I plan to to take it to a shop soon to have it professionally checked out, but I like to do some due-diligence before hand.

More background on my 4runner (2005 Sport V8):
- I bought it used, with some sweet mods already there which makes it very off-road capable:

• Lifted 4in with yota mafia Bilstein 6112/5160 combo
• SPC 25480 adjustable upper control arms
• Wheels = Method 312s
• Tires = 33" Falken WILDPEAK M/T01

- The mods were practically newly installed, right before seller listed this 4runner.

• I took it to a reputable independent Toyota mechanic for a detailed pre-purchase inspection, and it passed with flying colors.
• He even commented on the quality of the install for the mods.
• Presumably this noise did not come up during the inspection drive.

 

[214RUNNER]

Sounds like the front wheel is hitting some were in the wheel well

 

[y=mx+b]

With symptoms of occurring during braking and turning, this is probably tire rub inside the wheel well. Also sounds like tire on plastic or frame, not metal on metal. When you brake, weight transfers forward and the tires compress in the wheel well. This is one of the reasons that lift doesn't help fit tires, despite everyone asking "how much lift to fit X tire". Lift on IFS changes the ride height position, but the bump position doesn't change

check the body mount, plastic wheel well liners, and frame at the rear of the tire where the front crossmembers are for signs of rubbing

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Yeah I agree with the gentlemen above me. I had to do quite a bit a fender well trimming and body mount chop on 33's/3" lift. I'm also running 2" wheel spacers so that made for a little extra modification. I prefer that over a nasty grinding of metal so you're fine.

 

[Iron Chef]

With symptoms of occurring during braking and turning, this is probably tire rub inside the wheel well. Also sounds like tire on plastic or frame, not metal on metal. When you brake, weight transfers forward and the tires compress in the wheel well. This is one of the reasons that lift doesn't help fit tires, despite everyone asking "how much lift to fit X tire". Lift on IFS changes the ride height position, but the bump position doesn't change

check the body mount, plastic wheel well liners, and frame at the rear of the tire where the front crossmembers are for signs of rubbing

Thanks for the insight! If it's just tire rubbing on wheel well or something then I'm not too concerned. I've already driven it off-road for significant distances despite this occasional sound, it has no other symptoms of problems so far.

Although it is interesting that it is only with one particular wheel, on left turns only. It does not happen when I make sharp right turns (with similar braking) for example.

At first I thought it was an alignment issue, so I had the 4runner aligned after the first roadtrip, by a shop that is particularly experienced with aligning lifted 4x4s. Unfortunately that did not fix the sound.

So I need to look into if this is something I can fix myself (by trimming something?) Or it's going to need pro service - depending on how much it costs I might just decide to live with the noise.

 

[y=mx+b]

Thanks for the insight! If it's just tire rubbing on wheel well or something then I'm not too concerned. I've already driven it off-road for significant distances despite this occasional sound, it has no other symptoms of problems so far.

Although it is interesting that it is only with one particular wheel, on left turns only. It does not happen when I make sharp right turns (with similar braking) for example.

At first I thought it was an alignment issue, so I had the 4runner aligned after the first roadtrip, by a shop that is particularly experienced with aligning lifted 4x4s. Unfortunately that did not fix the sound.

So I need to look into if this is something I can fix myself (by trimming something?) Or it's going to need pro service - depending on how much it costs I might just decide to live with the noise.

Rubbing on left turn could also be the passenger tire on the wiper tank or fender liner right in front of the wiper tank too



The SPCs would be difficult for someone that is not familiar with them to align properly. I think even some experience 4x4 shops don't understand the caster adjustment because the typical mindset of "max caster" doesn't always help clearance. I'd recommend every new SPC owner to look into how to align them and give it a good try. As a basic run down:

• set the caster to what you want (This is highly dependent on your preferences. Setting the SPC to the lowest caster (Position G) will allow for max tire clearance at the body mount while sacrificing overall caster. whereas max caster (Position A) will sacrifice all clearance at the body mount in exachge for higher overall caster. The best setting for you is likely in the middle somewhere and I'd recommend trying a few. I have my LCAs pushed forward and setting E on my SPCs.
• eyeball the toe. it has to be kinda close for the camber to be right
• Then adjust camber with the UBJ sliders. 32mm nut. with wheels on the ground, put a digital angle finder on the brake rotors or flat part of the wheel. To adjust, you'll have to lift that corner off the ground, adjust, set it down, then recheck
• Then do the toe for real. Measure from equal lug to lug on the front and rear of the tire. I aim for a hair toe in

you don't have to get it perfect on your own, but doing it on your own will add a tool to your mental toolbox

the easy fix for the body mount is to do a body mount chop. A quick google search will pull up pictures of several different methods

for trimming, I'd recommend pulling the front shock and cycling the suspension bump to droop and lock to lock and trimming/hammering as necessary

 

[UrbanRunner651]

Definitely a wheel well rub. Typically can be resolved drilling new holes and pushing the fender liners forward. You should be able to visually inspect & see where the rub is taking place. I get it on both sides at full lock fwd/rev & am only running spacers & a 2.5/1.5 lift on stock tires.

 

[odieinaz]

I have the same noise, front driver's side only, intermittently and only during left turns. It just started last week after installing JBA hi-caster UCAs. In my case, it's the tire rubbing against the mud flap... I can see the rub marks. I'm getting it aligned today and if the rubbing still persists, I'll be first trying the solution that member [MENTION=102816]montana_jeepn[/MENTION] posted here: Solution for tires rubbing on front mud flaps....

 

[Jakeepoo3]

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If your body mount is in the way here is a quick video to resolve it.

 

[Iron Chef]

Investigated my wheel well as some of you have mentioned, and I think I narrowed down culprit - wheel is indeed rubbing on frame during braking + turning.

Here's my driver-side front wheel, with no turn applied:

• Arrow points to part of frame that the wheel will rub against - Click for zoomed view

Here is what that space looks like with tire almost fully turned to left:

• This is about a 3mm gap - so under braking (or hitting a dip off-roading), the frame pushes forward to rub against the 33" tires

For comparison, here's what the corresponding gap of the front passenger-side tire looks like, with wheel turned almost fully to the right:

• That is about a 6mm gap

Unfortunately, since this is metal frame area we're looking at here, it's not going to be as easy as cutting or modifying some trim. I don't think this is a job that I can undertake to fix myself - lacking both tools and expertise.

I may just have to live with the occasional noise...

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Investigated my wheel well as some of you have mentioned, and I think I narrowed down culprit - wheel is indeed rubbing on frame during braking + turning.

Here's my driver-side front wheel, with no turn applied:

• Arrow points to part of frame that the wheel will rub against - Click for zoomed view

Here is what that space looks like with tire almost fully turned to left:

• This is about a 3mm gap - so under braking (or hitting a dip off-roading), the frame pushes forward to rub against the 33" tires

For comparison, here's what the corresponding gap of the front passenger-side tire looks like, with wheel turned almost fully to the right:

• That is about a 6mm gap

Unfortunately, since this is metal frame area we're looking at here, it's not going to be as easy as cutting or modifying some trim. I don't think this is a job that I can undertake to fix myself - lacking both tools and expertise.

I may just have to live with the occasional noise...

Did you watch that video I posted right above your last post. I literally did that in about 15 minutes per side. If you have a buddy with a welder I'm sure he'll hook you up. I couldn't deal with that issue off roading all the time and I just like things done right. Your tires probably don't enjoy it much. I run wildpeaks too. Did your lift come with aftermarket upper control arms to correct caster?

 

[Iron Chef]

Did you watch that video I posted right above your last post. I literally did that in about 15 minutes per side. If you have a buddy with a welder I'm sure he'll hook you up. I couldn't deal with that issue off roading all the time and I just like things done right. Your tires probably don't enjoy it much. I run wildpeaks too. Did your lift come with aftermarket upper control arms to correct caster?

Oh shoot! I only just got your video working - your original link was a mobile-version facebook link which looks like crap on a PC. I edited the m. to a www. and I just watched it.

So that's what it is - a "body mount chop"! :embarassed: This is my first off-roader so lots of stuff is new to me, in case you couldn't tell.

Sadly I don't have a buddy with a welder, and even if I did, I don't trust myself to do this right. I'll sit on this for a bit, and then take it to a 4x4 shop for a BMC if I think it's worth it. According to this article - if it's around $200 I'll just pony up the cash.

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Oh shoot! I only just got your video working - your original link was a mobile-version facebook link which looks like crap on a PC. I edited the m. to a www. and I just watched it.

So that's what it is - a "body mount chop"! :embarassed: This is my first off-roader so lots of stuff is new to me, in case you couldn't tell.

Sadly I don't have a buddy with a welder, and even if I did, I don't trust myself to do this right. I'll sit on this for a bit, and then take it to a 4x4 shop for a BMC if I think it's worth it. According to this article - if it's around $200 I'll just pony up the cash.

You know what the issue is and what's involved to correct it so that was the goal! I'm sure you feel better now that you know what's going on under there. Yeah that's were I'd take mine somewhere that does lifts all the time. She's ready to hit a little trail action!

 

[Iron Chef]

You know what the issue is and what's involved to correct it so that was the goal! I'm sure you feel better now that you know what's going on under there. Yeah that's were I'd take mine somewhere that does lifts all the time. She's ready to hit a little trail action!

Yup. Knowing is half the battle.

It is interesting that this issue wasn't addressed by the original shop that installed the mods for the previous owner. That shop had a good reputation.

 

[AuSeeker]

Yup. Knowing is half the battle.

It is interesting that this issue wasn't addressed by the original shop that installed the mods for the previous owner. That shop had a good reputation.

Maybe the previous owner didn't want to pay for them to do the body mount chop, it's possible they ended up paying more than they expected on the work that was done. especially since they ended up selling after doing all that work.