I have this irritating grating noise from the front end of the car. It's not that intrusive but it is just there and does not sound like a finally tuned car. The car had sat for 1 year and I am working on it again. The front right disc is grooved heavily. Any thoughts?
I have replaced the rear callipers as they were both seized. To note, the rear wheels when raised off the broud and hand brake off turn with some resistance. I have adjusted the handbrake cable but note that the passenger rear wheel turns easier than the driver rear wheel. Is this because of the new pads and discs?
Any help welcome.

 

If you replace pads and rotors on one side, you should also replace them on the other. Also, if your rotors are heavily grooved they should be replaced as well. As far as the noise you need to centralize a location and determine what is going on when it makes it. Does it happen while braking? Not braking? Turning right? Turning left? Increase sound with speed? Etc. It could be bearings, bad control arm, brakes, suspension issue and possibly other things.

Really, the key is to narrow down the sound to a specific location.

 

CV joints, wheel bearings, dragging brake are all possibilities.

 

I'm going to get the car jacked up guys this Thursday and try to localise where that noise is coming from and also check the bearings etc.
Will let you know. I am determined to find it .

 

Well I raiesed the car and the wheel struggled to turn. Took the brakes off and it rotated well. I replaced the discs on both front wheels and used the old pads. Slider pins were greased up and the car drives well again. No noise, no fluttering. Diagnosis? Possibly a warped disc.

 

When replacing discs you should also replace the pads (cheap enough) as they will have worn to the old ones. If the old disc was worn badly then any grooves in the disc would produce uneven pads.

Roger

 

It's amazing what you can find once you start digging into things. Also, Roger is correct that it is always good to change your pads when changing rotors. It is critical that you properly bed them as well. Really, you can find ceramic pads for $50 and metallic ones for as low as $20. Check out RockAuto.com

 

I was advised to not change the pads by a friend of mine as they help to bed the brakes in faster. I take it that is wrong then.