Front wheel was making grating noise

BoardsMember

My front passenger side wheel was was making grating noise, a bit like steel on steel. Before that it was making a tap/tapping sound. I brought it to a mechanic who had a quick look, didn't take the wheel off or anything, and diagnosed it as the break disc is worn down and needs to be replaced. Does that sound right? The noise is completely gone now, so wondering if it might have been something caught/jammed between wheel and disk, or something like that. Is it possible to diagnose based on just looking at it?

BoardsMember

BoardsMember wrote: »

just looking at it?

how close did he look ?

livingthedream

You may just have had a stone lodged between disk and some part of wheel/brake assembly that has now worked itself free again.

Or you may indeed have some worn brake components... hard to tell without seeing...

Alanstrainor

It's very easy to diagnose a worn brake disc, either by feel or sight. If it is heavily worn then there will be a lip on the disc which can cause squealing and other noises. If they are worn, then best get them replaced.

biko

A mechanic can know by simply looking.
If you like, go to another for a second opinion.

It is possible there was a small stone lodged but it managed to work free

BoardsMember

Thanks for the feedback. I'm inclined to trust the guy, he's a good mechanic as far as I can make out. Its just the fact that its stopped making noise that has thrown me. He said it would continue and eventually might jam. Also, he didnt look closely at all, seemed to just assume that was what it was based on my description.

Atlantic Dawn

How many miles are on the current brake discs and car?

BoardsMember

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

How many miles are on the current brake discs and car?

I've no idea at all. There's 100k+ miles on the clock, no idea if/when they were last replaced.

Ash.J.Williams

BoardsMember wrote: »

I've no idea at all. There's 100k+ miles on the clock, no idea if/when they were last replaced.

No harm in starting your brake care regime now then

Technoi

Might be the brake calliper not retracting properly. They can get a bit seized sometimes and make that steel on steel sound. Had that issue myself and was intermittent at the start.

waynescales1

Had the exact same problem. Continuous screeching sound as the wheel turned. Stone was lodged in somewhere, eventually fell out.

If the problem was a brake part the sound should only occur when the brakes are applied?

Ardent

Could be wheel hub bearings. How old is the car?

greasepalm

Audi and vw suffer from stone lodged in caliper and asked the owners if they drove on a driveway of stones,no car is going to have 100k on original discs and pads.Sometimes driving in reverse can dislodge stones.
Worn wheel bearings would normally give a drone at speed.
Worn out pads as with metal on metal will only get worse and plenty of sparks stopping.

BoardsMember

Got it done for the 80 euro, didnt want to risk safety, and I trust the mechanic.

greasepalm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Got it done for the 80 euro, didnt want to risk safety, and I trust the mechanic.

What did he do just pads?

BoardsMember

greasepalm wrote: »

What did he do just pads?

Yes, think so. Not sure they change both when they do one wheel, do they?

greasepalm

Set of pads cover both front wheels,hopefully discs are good and not badly worn and no lips.

mgbgt1978

It's probably a safe bet that the grating noise was the pad wear indicators if a new set of pads sorted the issue.

at9qu5vp0wcix7

Had the exact same problem - pads and discs sorted it out.