Grinding noise

[ASUMTNEER]

My wife's 2011 LTD 4X4 with 165k miles has been making a grinding noise, seems like in the front, for some time now. I checked the brakes and found a front caliper piston frozen, so I changed both calipers and the noise persists. The sound doesn't change when I use the brakes, so I don't think it's brake related. It sounds like a metal on metal grinding noise similar to a worn pad grating against a rotor, but the pads are 70% still. Could it be a wheel bearing? I can only hear it at low speeds, but that could be due to the road noise drowning it out at high speeds.

 

[A10MileHusker]

My wife's 2011 LTD 4X4 with 165k miles has been making a grinding noise, seems like in the front, for some time now. I checked the brakes and found a front caliper piston frozen, so I changed both calipers and the noise persists. The sound doesn't change when I use the brakes, so I don't think it's brake related. It sounds like a metal on metal grinding noise similar to a worn pad grating against a rotor, but the pads are 70% still. Could it be a wheel bearing? I can only hear it at low speeds, but that could be due to the road noise drowning it out at high speeds.

There is a dust shield on the back that I once accidently bent when I was under there working. Pushed it against the rotor so when you drove it rubbed and caused a metal on metal sound. Got under and pulled it back out and problem solved. Hopefully this is your issue and an easy fix.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

There is a dust shield on the back that I once accidently bent when I was under there working. Pushed it against the rotor so when you drove it rubbed and caused a metal on metal sound. Got under and pulled it back out and problem solved. Hopefully this is your issue and an easy fix.

Thanks for the quick response, but I don't think this is it. I've pulled the wheels and sun the rotors in hopes of hearing something, but no luck. It's like it's only making noise under load.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

Don’t recall if a 2011 LTD is on the front diff noise/ needle bearing problem, but could it be that.??????

BTW, Salisbury NC native Tar Heel here.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Don’t recall if a 2011 LTD is on the front diff noise/ needle bearing problem, but could it be that.??????

BTW, Salisbury NC native Tar Heel here.

Thanks for the response. I don't think this is the same thing. I had a 2010 trail that had this issue and it was a different noise altogether.

 

[blanchard7684]

My wife's 2011 LTD 4X4 with 165k miles has been making a grinding noise, seems like in the front, for some time now. I checked the brakes and found a front caliper piston frozen, so I changed both calipers and the noise persists. The sound doesn't change when I use the brakes, so I don't think it's brake related. It sounds like a metal on metal grinding noise similar to a worn pad grating against a rotor, but the pads are 70% still. Could it be a wheel bearing? I can only hear it at low speeds, but that could be due to the road noise drowning it out at high speeds.

Take wheels off and rotate by hand each side. Compare. If it is wheel bearing that is really damaged you should feel a difference in smoothness.

If it is wheel bearing ensure diff oil levels are set appropriately.

Check for items rattling in the interior or rear hatch area.

grease u joints and drive shaft slip yoke to see if that makes any difference.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Take wheels off and rotate by hand each side. Compare. If it is wheel bearing that is really damaged you should feel a difference in smoothness.

If it is wheel bearing ensure diff oil levels are set appropriately.

Check for items rattling in the interior or rear hatch area.

grease u joints and drive shaft slip yoke to see if that makes any difference.

greasing is a great idea! This is something I hadn't thought of. Thanks

 

[mattyrides07]

Thanks for the response. I don't think this is the same thing. I had a 2010 trail that had this issue and it was a different noise altogether.

[MENTION=70182]ASUMTNEER[/MENTION], what was the verdict?

 

[Captain Planet]

[MENTION=70182]ASUMTNEER[/MENTION], what was the verdict?

I had a similar problem. It was in fact the dust shield. But when the brakes were cold, the metal contracted enough to not make contact. After driving a bit, noise was back. I went and bent it out a bit and noise never came back.