Grinding Noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cipher93 · 06-20-2010, 06:07 PM

I have an issue with a grinding noise on my 93 Corolla, and want to ask here as I'm not sure if my mechanic will be able to see it this week. Whenever I drive it and accelerate, it makes this subtle "grrrr" grinding noise that sounds metal on metal. It is only during acceleration and seems to often come right before and right after it changes gears. Gear changes have not changed in terms of feel though. It only does it intemittently when the car is in gear/moving (doesn't do it in Park/Neutral) and is coming from the front of the car, possibly more towards the left. There is no noise once the car is holding steady speed, and the noise gets louder the harder I accelerate/under mroe throttle.

Car is a 3 Speed auto w/ 1.6L engine. Trans fluid and engine oil is good, can't get to the differential fluid to tell because I'm unable to get the skid plate out of the way (will let the mechanic deal with that when it goes in). Boots on the CV joints/axles were just replaced and are good. Car does not make the noise while turning, and the wheel does not jerk or move while accelerating.

I'm really helping it's just wheel bearings but my gut says transmission... odd from the front wheel bearings to both have issues at the same time and for them to go through inspection last month without my mechanic noting something is wrong.

EDIT: Brakes do also not appear to be dragging. They don't feel different, light isn't on, car is pulling to one side, and it sounds different from the time I did have a pad get hung up on a wheel.

speedy25 · 06-21-2010, 08:22 AM

He could have missed a wheel bearing. It can grind before its noticeably loose. I'll also add that your CV joint boot change might have been in vain and the joint could be contaminated and grinding instead of the usual "pop" sound during corners.

I hope you find it and the fix is cheap!

-SP

cipher93 · 06-21-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy25

He could have missed a wheel bearing. It can grind before its noticeably loose. I'll also add that your CV joint boot change might have been in vain and the joint could be contaminated and grinding instead of the usual "pop" sound during corners.

I hope you find it and the fix is cheap!

-SP

It's not in for work but I went with a drive with my mechanic, and he seemed to actually think it was caused by stones stuck against the heat shield and/or a loose heat shield resonating at higher RPMs. Noted that if it was a A/T issue the shift quality would be poor. We'll see. He suggested if it was a stone or debris it might drop out. Either way it's going in next week to have it looked over (didn't have an opening to actually work on it at the time, just a quick ride). Would do it myself but I don't have jack stands...

cipher93 · 06-28-2010, 01:07 PM

The past few days I've noticed it while in park and revving the engine too... rust inside the muffler has caused one of the baffles to come loose, and it's rattling. Didn't replace as my mechanic said it's not leaking and just suggested I go with it until it's worn to the point it's not muffling anymore (which will likely happen before it leaks) and/or the performance starts to drop off...