scraping sound coming from wheel

[jjguitar]

I own a 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis. I notice that when I drive, I hear what sounds like a clicking noise coming from the front left wheel. The frequency of the clicking changes depending on the speed I'm traveling at. However, when I go REALLY slow (put the car in drive and lightly hold the brake), I can hear that it isn't exactly a clicking noise, but rather a CREEKING noise that happens on a certain point on the wheel. Sometimes this happens in the front right wheel too. What could this sound be?

[ivymike1031]

most likely a bad CV joint (or U-joint depending on equipment). First thing to do is look at the axle shaft on that side of the car, and make sure that the rubber boots (cv boots) are not torn. A cv joint can go bad without having a torn boot (so if you don't find one I'm still not changing my guess), but if you find a torn boot then I'm 99.95% sure that your problem is a bad cv joint.

[jjguitar]

I will take a look on the axle shaft and make sure everything's okay. Two questions: Is a CV-joint or U-joint expensive to get repaired? Also, is it okay to drive around with that part broken, and will I cause damage to another part by doing so?

[enginerd]

Wait a second. 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis is a rear wheel drive car. It doesn't have CV-joints. I would be concerned with the bearings or perhaps the brakes are making the noise.

[ivymike1031]

Oh yeah, that's one of those land barges isn't it? For some reason I was picturing a little car.

Well I agree that if it's a rear wheel drive car, what I said before doesn't apply. I've never heard a clicking wheel bearing before, but creaking (or grinding) could easily be that. Brakes are another likely culprit. I'd take a wheel off and inspect the brakes, then turn the hub by hand and see if I could feel anything odd.

[jjguitar]

Ok, thanks for the help. I'll take a look at the brakes.