Noise in wheel area- any ideas

[Desert Fox]

I have a 2003 Limited V-8. At slow speeds I hear a scrapping noise. I think it is in the front but not positive.
My first thought was the brake pad wear warning piece. I had the brakes checked and they are fine.
It may be making noise at higher speeds and I do not hear it.
It is not real loud and is not all the time.
My next thought is wheel bearings. I would think that wheel bearings would make more of a screeching sound and not a scrapping or rubbing sound.

Any ideas? I have over 150k miles on the runner so there is opportunity for any part to fail.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Check to see if the sway bar is rubbing against something like the skid plate. Remove the skid plate and inspect for rub marks. Drive around without the skid plate and see if the noise goes away. Also check the uca and spindle for any rubbing against the tire and wheel. Also check the passenger side front diff mount. Those are known to break. Stock 4runner or have you modded it?

 

[snowbrdr033]

Is it only while you are accelerating, decelerating, or braking? Or does it occur randomly during anyone of those movements?

 

[Desert Fox]

Good questions.
I dont hear it when I accelarate but that may be becaause it is a low level noise and the other noises are louder.

However, it does seem to be when I brake. That is another reason I thought about brakes being the cause.

Someone told me I had dirt in the brake system but that did not sound right.

 

[Desert Fox]

Check to see if the sway bar is rubbing against something like the skid plate. Remove the skid plate and inspect for rub marks. Drive around without the skid plate and see if the noise goes away. Also check the uca and spindle for any rubbing against the tire and wheel. Also check the passenger side front diff mount. Those are known to break. Stock 4runner or have you modded it?

I can rule out the skid plates, they are on the garage floor.

I did not know about the diff mount issue so I will check into that.
In my mind I think I hear it on the passanger side. But after 3 years in Artillary my hearing is not as good as it was.

Not any suspension mods yet. A Daystar 2.5" kit is going in Tuesday so that will be the first suspension mod.
We will get a good look at the suspension then for sure.

Thanks for the input. I did not know about the mount issue.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Thanks for the input. I did not know about the mount issue.

You can read about it here on 120. Passenger front diff bracket

 

[settytb]

Kinda sounds like a wheel bearing to me...when you take it apart...spin the rotors with your hands in the front and see how they do or if there is any play in them.