'grating' sound from fiesta

SparrowTown

A friend has a ford fiesta flight 2001 1.25 zetec. on braking sometimes there is what i can only describe as a 'grating' sound from under bonnet somewhere. occasionally when not braking. It is like something is rubbing off something

Anyone any idea what that might be or if it is serious? The car is in good condition and drives well

Merch

It sounds like the brake pads are worn out and need replacing, I'd look at the brake calipers (or have a person qualified or competent enough to look at them)
The pads arent fixed in place but float (for the want of a better word) in the caliper so maybe they are moving about when braking isnt being applied and are rubbing off the disc, whatever it is, I'd say get it checled or look at it. If you were to remove a front wheel, you would be able to see into the caliper (through a cutout slot at the front) and tell how much brake lining material is on the pads.
Obviously take precautions, as really I wouldn't go near a car resting on a jack for changing a wheel, much safer to use an axle stand.

Owen

Merch wrote: »

It sounds like the brake pads are worn out and need replacing

He said it also happens when not braking.

Grimreaper666

PaintDoctor wrote: »

He said it also happens when not braking.

If they're really bad you'll hear noise even when the car is driving along but it must have been seriously neglected to be left go that far.

bladespin

Grimreaper666 wrote: »

If they're really bad you'll hear noise even when the car is driving along but it must have been seriously neglected to be left go that far.

Yup, the metal can 'ping' off the disk if they're badly worn.

Merch

PaintDoctor wrote: »

He said it also happens when not braking.

I was in the process of editing my post before I saw your reply, the cutout slot is on the front of the caliper (the bit that wraps around the front of each disc)

Owen

If it was just the brakes, wouldn't he say 'I've a really bad grating noise each time I brake'?

SparrowTown

Merch wrote: »

It sounds like the brake pads are worn out and need replacing, I'd look at the brake calipers (or have a person qualified or competent enough to look at them)

thanks that expensive? There is nvere any problem braking always responds very well.
Thanks to the other replies too;)

Owen

It's also possible the bearings on one of your pulleys inside the engine has collapsed. If your brakes are behaving as normal when you brake, I doubt it's the pads. If the alternator bearing had collapsed inside the pulley, it would grate occasionally before failing altogether.

SparrowTown

PaintDoctor wrote: »

It's also possible the bearings on one of your pulleys inside the engine has collapsed. If your brakes are behaving as normal when you brake, I doubt it's the pads. If the alternator bearing had collapsed inside the pulley, it would grate occasionally before failing altogether.

is that expensive to replace? is it just the bearing to replace or the alternator?

Owen

Generally, it's much easier to buy a used alternator, either from Traynors, or eBay, or from a local scrapyard. Shouldn't cost more than 50 euro, and it's one of the things you can fit yourself under the bonnet with basic mechanical skills and tools.

Merch

SparrowTown wrote: »

thanks that expensive? There is nvere any problem braking always responds very well.
Thanks to the other replies too;)

Best to to price around, but I'd check the brake lining thickness before getting someone to replace them if possible (that can be done by just looking at the slot in the caliper with a wheel off) would you know anyone competent enough to look at and know where the calipers are? Im not kidding when I say that because if you dont best to get someone that is. When were they done last? how many miles back?? the discs may be worn due to previous pads being left on too long and this may eat into your existing pads, either shortening their life and or causing noise.
making this kind of diagnosis online isn't the best because people dont really know what the noise you are identifying is.

SparrowTown

Merch wrote: »

Best to to price around, but I'd check the brake lining thickness before getting someone to replace them if possible (that can be done by just looking at the slot in the caliper with a wheel off) would you know anyone competent enough to look at and know where the calipers are? Im not kidding when I say that because if you dont best to get someone that is. When were they done last? how many miles back?? the discs may be worn due to previous pads being left on too long and this may eat into your existing pads, either shortening their life and or causing noise.
making this kind of diagnosis online isn't the best because people dont really know what the noise you are identifying is.

Yes i jhave a competent mechanic was just wondering if i need to visit him. Will say it top him tomorrow. Thanks guys;)