Scraping noise on turns - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haux · 03-09-2010, 06:19 AM

For the past 6+ weeks, I have been hearing a metallic scraping noise on turns coming from the area of the front wheels. Specifically right turns. I don't believe they are present on left turns. This noise is not particularly loud, but enough for me to hear with the radio off.

Before I left town, I checked out the right side with the wheel off. I noticed nothing that could be causing the noise. I have not checked the left side. Around that time, a lot of work was being done - suspension, bearings, hubs, etc.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position right now to investigate based on suggestions. But I can think about what to look into as soon as I return.

Any ideas what might cause such a noise? I was thinking about the "dust shield" or whatever it's called... that attaches to the steering knuckle. But I figured if it was bent weird, it would be scraping during rotations in general, not only turns.

Chris Crash · 03-09-2010, 12:24 PM

The backing plate (dust shield) seems a likely culprit. I have the same noise, and just never paid mind to it.

Check all your bolts and slide pins on the calipers and brakes in general. A loose will unleashes some noises.

JCamry94 · 03-09-2010, 12:31 PM

To narrow it down for you, since you have a Gen 4 the steering knuckle turns with the wheel, so the dust shield is not the problem.

How many miles on your car?

My guess is the cv joint is on its way out. I tore a boot during a suspension job and once air, dirt, and dust get in there they contaminate the joint, causing it to start cracking.

If it sounds anything like this (this was the DAY before I took my car in to get my axles replaced):

You Tube

I wouldn't be driving the car a whole lot as the axle could seperate from the shaft during your drive.

You probably have a week or two left of time to NOT repair it if the metal clicking only happens on right turns and isn't super loud, but check for grease splatters and rips in boots next time you're down there.

IF the sound doesn't get progressively worse in the coming weeks and closer to the sound on the vid I posted, it would have to be something else.

haux · 03-09-2010, 02:02 PM

JCamry94, over 344,000 miles. The halfshafts are new. Everything associated with the front wheels is new. Except the control arms themselves (bushings are new). Even if the halfshafts were old I would not suspect them. It's not that kind of noise. It DOES very much sound like those dust shields are scraping against something... but that doesn't make sense. Everything was installed correctly.

I haven't looked at the video yet but I will tonight.

I have another idea about what it might be, but I'm not sure what that thing is called and I will look it up and post that tonight also.

Chris Crash · 03-09-2010, 03:04 PM

The dust shields can just get bent trying to put the wheels back on. Just reach around and push it back a little. Or remove them and drive through the neighborhood and see if the noise went away.

haux · 03-09-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Crash

The dust shields can just get bent trying to put the wheels back on. Just reach around and push it back a little. Or remove them and drive through the neighborhood and see if the noise went away.

Removal requires taking out the hub. =) ...not going to happen. I had to have a shop press the old hubs and bearings out of the knuckles and put the new ones in.

Well, the other thing I had in mind was what's referred to as a "dust deflector."

In the picture below, it's labeled 43246. I put on newer steering knuckles from a vehicle that was equipped with traction control and abs. The dust deflectors were different to allow for some sensor and would not allow my halfshafts to fit. So I had to remove them and put in the old dust deflectors. They are a very tight fit. Is it possible they have become loose? I was thinking though that if it they have... once again, I think the scraping would be constant, not only on turns.

#2! · 03-09-2010, 03:51 PM

If the backing plate rubs against the rotor then just take a hammer and a long enough punch and tap the backing plate back out of the way.

haux · 03-09-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #2!

If the backing plate rubs against the rotor then just take a hammer and a long enough punch and tap the backing plate back out of the way.

If the plate is bent weird and is rubbing against the rotor, wouldn't I hear the noise ALWAYS?

#2! · 03-09-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

If the plate is bent weird and is rubbing against the rotor, wouldn't I hear the noise ALWAYS?

No they could be slightly touching.

I had a similar problem when I replaced the rotors in my wife's car. The rotor and backing plate rubbed on one side whenever turning the car. I pulled the noisy wheel off and gave the backing plate a few whacks. Put the wheel back on and the sound digressed a bit but was still there so again I pulled the wheel off and pounded on it some more.
The second time fixed it for good.

JCamry94 · 03-09-2010, 06:44 PM

Bend the backing plate so it clears, other than that if this phenomena only happens during right turns jack 'er up, jam the wheel to the right and see if anything is rubbing.

This is an odd scenario as almost all of the forementioned issues wouldn't depend on whether the car is turned to the right or not (for the most part).

I'm glad the shafts are new, because broken cv boots and joints are a bitch to deal with

***JohnGD*** · 03-09-2010, 09:38 PM

No. I don't think he's talking about the one that was pressed in. This "dust shield" (or whatever it's called) is the size of the brake rotor, right inboard of it to prevent mud splashes onto the rotor. It's a thin piece of sheet metal, easily bent.

If noise is from turning to the right, most likely check the right side shield. Just push it slightly inboard for more clearance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Removal requires taking out the hub. =) ...not going to happen. I had to have a shop press the old hubs and bearings out of the knuckles and put the new ones in.

Well, the other thing I had in mind was what's referred to as a "dust deflector."

Chris Crash · 03-09-2010, 09:50 PM

Yeah I meant the one right behind the rotor, there are two small bolts holding it up there.

haux · 03-13-2010, 02:39 AM

Are you talking about the big black dust covers in this photo? If so, it cannot be removed without removing the hub. And the hub has to be pressed out. But yes, that's the first thing I suspected. I was able to examine the one on the right side before leaving town. It was not touching the rotor.

I suppose what I'll have to do is wait until I get back home, raise the front end, turn and rotate the wheels and see exactly where it's coming from.

***JohnGD*** · 03-13-2010, 08:36 PM

No need to move the hub. Just see if the holding bolts are tight and the thin sheet metal has enough clearance. These things are easily bumped when working on the knuckles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haux

Are you talking about the big black dust covers in this photo? If so, it cannot be removed without removing the hub. And the hub has to be pressed out. But yes, that's the first thing I suspected. I was able to examine the one on the right side before leaving town. It was not touching the rotor.

I suppose what I'll have to do is wait until I get back home, raise the front end, turn and rotate the wheels and see exactly where it's coming from.

sssgood · 03-13-2010, 11:12 PM

hey I got my front control arms replaced, and after that I felt the sound in the front right when turning right, turns out the mechanic didn't put on the axle properly or something.... he found that out after lifting the car, turning on the engine, and putting it to drive, and the car started shaking....lol hoped that helped