Driving home earlier today I noticed / heard an unusual high pitched noise, which can best be described as metal dragging on the road .. It's not present continuously, just appears at frequent random intervals

 

There's no noise on full lock, nor when I go over bumps or potholes. Rear pads are low, but not that low. Tyres are relatively new all round.

 

The noise is also akin to perhaps a small bit of gravel stuck by the brakes, but again pretty sure that's not the case.

 

I say wheel bearing, as years ago  I had one go on a Nissan, displaying exactly the same noise.

 

Thoughts welcome from the more  experienced on here ..

To check a wheel bearing jack one wheel at a time and see if there's any play. It may also be a sticky caliper or hand brake return not releasing properly.

Rotten back/splash plate on the brakes rotted through and rubbing on the wheel ?

Edited 8 February, 20188 yr by erindad

+1 for a rotten heat/dust shield.

 

Take a hold and wiggle, it should be secure.

 

Re wheel bearing wear...

 

Watch The Dam Busters, a wheel bearing usually sounds like a Lancaster droning away!

Failing wheel bearings can be quite difficult to identify particularly early on. Usually a drone that is continuous that can be masked by road noise. Terminal wheel bearings go quiet when cornering in one direction and loud cornering in the opposite direction as load changes.

 

Best method I've encountered is to jack up the suspected corner and with one hand on the spring mid way, spin the wheel/tyre with the other.  Feel any roughness or vibration at the spring which amplifies it. Compare with opposite side. If one is failing it should be obvious.

Edited 8 February, 20188 yr by xman

7 hours ago, Cornish_Lad said:

Driving home earlier today I noticed / heard an unusual high pitched noise, which can best be described as metal dragging on the road .. It's not present continuously, just appears at frequent random intervals

 

There's no noise on full lock, nor when I go over bumps or potholes. Rear pads are low, but not that low. Tyres are relatively new all round.

 

The noise is also akin to perhaps a small bit of gravel stuck by the brakes, but again pretty sure that's not the case.

 

I say wheel bearing, as years ago  I had one go on a Nissan, displaying exactly the same noise.

 

Thoughts welcome from the more  experienced on here ..

 

MKII's are notorious in trapping stones between brake disks and backing plates - which can generate a hell of a noise

 

If it sounds more metallic I would also go for metal backing plate behind the brake disc. Had both of these go on the rear of mine now. If you reach through the wheel and push the plate you will know straight away as it will flap about when you put pressure on it

Ok, cheers for all the very helpful replies.

 

It certainly isn't droning away like you'd expect from a wheel bearing.

 

What makes me suspicious is the noise has appeared right after a couple of very cold nights when hills have been gritted etc. Maybe something has got stuck by the brakes somewhere ..

 

I'll investigate and report back.

Edited 9 February, 20188 yr by Cornish_Lad