2002 Montana Scraping Noise Left Side

[tower905]

When driving and turning right, I get a scraping noise like the rotor scaping against bad brake pads. I just replaced the front brakes because of this noise and it is still there. Could this be the front bearing assembly starting to go bad? I also rotated the tires and have a slight wobble in the front end since doing this.

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

This sounds like a wheel bearing going bad due to the fact that you have a slight wobble. The first thing to check is the lug nuts to make sure they are tight. Also check and make sure that the brake caliper is tight and moving freely. It is possible that the caliper is loose but I put my money on the wheel bearing.

[tower905]

Well I changed the wheel bearing assembly, changed the brake pads and the noise is still there. Sounds like the wear indicater scaping on the rotor but it isn't. It does not do it when you back up or when the van is jacked up. Only when full weight is on the suspension and when turning right and left now.

[scherp]

Is it possible that the caliper isn't releasing enough and the clip that hold the pad in place is rubbing against the rotor. I have this happening on my car. I'm thinking I have to take apart the caliper and clean it.

[JJhammer]

ok, listen to this one. I had a noise that sounded exactly like a bad wheel bearing. it sounded metallic and was louder when going faster. I replaced both the front and back bearings. Not too bad of a job for the first time-but-noise still there! Jacked the van up-put it up to 40mph-no noise. Took it to two auto places-both thought it was a bad wheel bearing but when inspected it was fine. Then noticed that the sound went away if I placed my hand over the plastic mirror. It had a crack in it and when the wind blew through it sounded exactly like a bad wheel bearing. Unbelievable but true!! Black electricians tape did the job. Could of saved a lot if I could have figured it out-both the auto places assured me that these vans (2000 Montana) were notorious for bad wheel bearings. Oh well!

[Will Help]

If you have hub caps instead of the styled wheels, the hub caps can squeak as the wheel flexes causeing the cap grippers to scrape back and forth. If this is the case, taking the hub caps off and driving could solve where the noise is coming from.