front end noises!

[Sunliner]

Ok you guys were so great at answering my first question, I'm gonna run another one by ya.

1997 Blazer 2wd; 110K miles

When I put 'er in reverse & cut the steering wheel to the right (as in backing out of a parking spot), there is a grinding noise coming from the front right wheel. Sound is "rhythmic" ie it is consistent with the speed the wheels are rolling, and happens whether the brakes are on or off.

Reversing to the left is no problem, & I can go forward to either direction with no problem.

I'm thinking it's the bearings myself...they're due for a cleaning/repack, & considering the mileage, I'm planning on putting in new bearings anyway. They're the original bearings & have been maintained every 30K, but I figure that's a lot of miles...

Just like to see what you guys think about the noise.
Thanks, -Mike

[Mikado14]

Yep, it sure sounds like a bearing. However, and I could be wrong, but I didn't think that on a 2WD that they could be cleaned and repacked?

[Sunliner]

Yeah, the manual recommends cleaning/repacking every 30k.
I jacked the vehicle up last night & did the "push/pull" test, spun it and all that good stuff, without any apparent abnormality, but I still think the bearings are shot.
Can't complain though, she's gone quite a ways on them.

[BlazerLT]

Doesn't sound like a bearing to me.

Sounds like the brake pads are worn out of the rear dust shield is rubbing the rotor.

[cobra1]

check that your fan blade isnt rubbing the bottom of the fan shroud. the engine mounts sag, and it rubs, mine does it when i make a left turn.

also check that the tire isnt rubbing the inner fender anywhere.

[Sunliner]

Well gang...
I replaced the front wheel bearings & the brake pads this weekend & the noise is still there. Checked to see if the wheels were rubbing anywhere when turned but they aren't. I was really thinking BlazerLT was on the money with the dust shield theory, but I didn't see any evidence of it rubbing either.
One thing I noticed when the wheels were off, was a scuff mark on the stabilizer bar on the left side; looks like the inboard/front of the left wheel made contact there at some point in time. Thought maybe I was onto something since it would make sense that the left wheel goes inboard when turning right.
Well, I turned 'er hard right, got out and checked there's at least 5-6 inches between the wheel and the stabilizer...so I'm back to square one.

gotta go pull my hair out now...
-Mike

[BlazerLT]

Did you actually push the dust shield back at all or just inspect?

[Sunliner]

Well..I pushed on the dust shield, but couldn't get any movement. 'course maybe I didn't push hard enough...

One thing I did neglect that I wish I had checked before I put every thing back together was warpage of the rotors. My brother suggested that maybe the right one is very slightly warped & only acts up with weight thrown to that side.

[BlazerLT]

I just had a pull brake job and had the scrape scrape scrape thing and I thought something was wrong too.

It was just the metal dust shield scraping the rotors.

Push the dust shield back with a little bit of force.

[drfinley99]

I'm having the same exact problem. Did you ever figure out what it was? Thanks!

[Sunliner]

Yep...on the left drivers wheel well there's a plastic "shroud" type thing (too early in the morning, I can't think of the right term) that keeps dirt from flying into the engine area.
It's in three or four sections, and one section had gotten a little loose and was hanging down just a little bit & was rubbing against the wheel when ever it was turned more than a few degrees. I just folded the thing back at first for troubleshooting & later trimmed it just a little, and no noise since!

hope that helps!
-Mike

[ZL1power69]

guys this thread is over 2 years old. please refrain from posting in old threads.