Grinding noise wheels only first 200-300 feet of driving?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jxw004

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Posts
44
Reaction score
3
ok, so I have a 2004 tahoe with 3" lift. When I did the lift 6 months ago I replaced the stock bearings with TIMEKEN and everything was fine until about a month ago. I started to notice a girding noise like a bearing was going out. I raised the front up and checked the passenger side and everything was solid, rocked the tire at 12 & 6 and 3 & 9. Did the same on the drivers side and same thing, all was solid. I though ok, maybe I detected it early and replaced both under warranty. Well I still have the noise. I checked the rear and same thing, all solid. I have extremely little brake drag, took my center caps off and still have the noise. The confusing thing is it only has this grinding noise when I start to drive it after it sits for a little bit (in mornings and even less when leaving work), maybe the first 2-300 feet and then it goes away. Am I worrying about nothing or am I missing something?
 

Kraig

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Posts
202
Reaction score
98
I know you said little brake drag but that would be my guess.
 

#1taho

5150TAHO
Joined
Dec 10, 2013
Posts
1,814
Reaction score
1,174
Location
niagara falls ont
have you checked the brake backing plates ? sounds like they are rubbing the back of the rotor, or like Kraig said the pads could be draging on the rotor or pad not sliding on the sliders and causing the noise.
 
OP
OP
J

jxw004

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Posts
44
Reaction score
3
Yes, the backing plates are not touching the rotor. I can go ahead and rule out wheel bearing, I tried this morning by turning side to side while the noise is happening and it did not effect the noise. It sounds more gear related than brake... I will be checking my rear diff sometime this week to see if maybe it is the cause. It seem like what ever it is is low on fluid and once I get going it lubricates and goes away.
 
OP
OP
J

jxw004

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Posts
44
Reaction score
3
ok, conformed it is something on the brakes...If i apply the brakes the noise goes away, come off and the noise is present. Should I have the spring clips on the back of the pads or no?
 

SLCHOE

ASE Master Certified + (L1)
Joined
Nov 28, 2013
Posts
807
Reaction score
52
Location
Midvale, Utah
ok, conformed it is something on the brakes...If i apply the brakes the noise goes away, come off and the noise is present. Should I have the spring clips on the back of the pads or no?

Your brake hardware should look like this. If you don't have the spring clips, that is your issue. Also not going to overlook the obvious but your pads are not worn to the point where your wear indicators are rubbing right?

hQtEN2G.png
 
OP
OP
J

jxw004

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Posts
44
Reaction score
3
Your brake hardware should look like this. If you don't have the spring clips, that is your issue. Also not going to overlook the obvious but your pads are not worn to the point where your wear indicators are rubbing right?

hQtEN2G.png

I have all the hardware pictured, I discovered that the rubber boot that the caliper pins slide into was chewed up really good! the pin was rusted and no grease on the pin or that part of the caliper, went ahead and replaced the caliper and BAM! no noise so far. So the noise I guess was the caliper moving up and down on the pin. Thank y'all for the help!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,194
Posts
1,863,739
Members
96,704
Latest member
nellad73

Latest posts

Top