Warped Rotor, or something worse?

[rex1one]

Front drivers side wheel makes an oscillating scratching sound (like metal being sandpapered) when turning right. Is this the sign of a warped rotor, or something I haven't thought of?

[jayson716]

check you pads i had that problem when i had low pads and when you turn they move just enough so the bar on the pad that touches the rotor is touching. or it could be a bearing but i would bet on the pads.

[Sight N Sound]

99.9 percent it sthe wear indicator on the pads meaning they need changed. It will start to get worse and will happen no matter what way the wheel is turned. If you wait too long you could gouge the rotors

[richtazz]

pads are easier and cheaper, try them first. if that doesn't fix it, its the hub bearing.

[rex1one]

The pads are only about 2 months old. The tab is still 3/4" from the rotor and there's no abnormal marks/scrappings on the rotor (just normal pad rub marks)

That was the first thing I checked.

The scratching sound changes with the speed. Like just one part of the wheel or rotor is making it.

Scratch... Scratch... Scratch... Scratch... Scratch... Scratch...

But I can still hear it when I'm braking (that's why I'm questioning the warped rotor theory that my coworker gave me).

[richtazz]

if your brakes don't pulse when stopping, it's not a warped rotor, I would put my money on a hub bearing

[rex1one]

How easy is that to fix? I've never gone beyond the rotors on any of my vehicles, but I'm used to doing my own work.

[richtazz]

Once you get the brake caliper and rotor off, all you have left to do is remove the axle nut (30mm socket) and the 3 bolts securing the hub bearing to the spindle (t55 torx bit). there is a hole thru the hub between the lug studs that you rotate around until it lines up with the torx head bolts, remove them one at a time and the hub will be in your hands. They only run about $50-$60 at Auto-Zone or Advance. Make sure you tighten the axle nut to spec (180 ft/lbs) and don't use an impact, use a hand torque wrench

[rex1one]

Here we go... I took it apart today to check on whether it would made the sound with the rotor off, whether the wheel span freely, etc... I wanted to make sure before I spent so much on a part.

But for the life of me I couldn't get any scratching sounds while not driving.

I'll skip to the end: After 30 minutes of looking like an idiot in my apartment lot I discovered that the lower tip of the Rotor shield was rubbing up against the rotor on right turns.

But I'm happy. I'd rather have a little pie in my face than be out 50-70 bucks.

Thanks for your help guys. Maybe this thread can help someone else someday.

[Sight N Sound]

cool glad it was a simple fix.

[richtazz]

excellent, another perfect example of the K.I.S.S. principle. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Not saying you're stupid, (I didn't make up the acronym) it basically means to not outhink yourself and look for expensive problems first, go with the simple and free first. Seriously though, I'm glad you fixed it, and it didn't cost anything.