Grinding noise from front wheels/brakes area on 2003 Maxima?

Question

Car was running smooth. Then I took it to Sears to get the tires balanced and rotated. When I got it back, I noticed that there was a grinding sound comming from the front wheel/brake area(not sure which side). I notice the sound only at slower speeds(around 10mph). It seems to get louder when I turn(in either direction) or brake at these slower speeds. I do not notice the sound at faster speeds. The sound itself sounds something like a "constant soft grinding" with a "whomp" sound with every rotation of the tire as it moves. In the meantime I was due to change my brake pads so I did that but it did not help. I'de love to know what could be causing this noise.
On a side note: my muffler also sounds like it has holes in it after I got it back from Sears. Haven't looked under yet. They might have had it in for me because I complained to Sears HQ when they refused to do the balancing and rotation (long story).
But my question is about the grinding noise.

I inspected the rotors and they looked and felt good. I have 60k miles on it. The noise wasn't there before taking it to sears so I doubt its the rotors.

I changed the pads myself.

Answer 1

Why are you taking it to Sears. In Canada they closed all the Sears auto service centres. One big reason was for the poor reputation and shoddy workmanship they provide. The noise sounds like the tires or rims. Are they steel or aluminium rims? Have you ever hit a curb or big pot hole? It could be the brake rotors. Or the tires were not rotated the right way or balanced properly. It sounds like they may of poked a hole in your exhaust where there may of been a bit of corrosion. Find a trusted mechanic who knows imports and go there.

Answer 2

Ok first check to see if the wheels have been put back (tyre rotation) you if the tyres are V rated or rotational tyres the you will see an arrow on the side wall's, This must be pointing to the forward direction. this can produce a whistling noise. 2) the tyre and steel rim or mag wheel will come off the motor car for the balancing so check to if they did not bend one the backing plat/s and might be grinding at the brake disks. 3) the wheel nut/s can not be over tightened so you do not have to worry to much here's) 4) It can be a wheel bearing but this dose not sound like it so to be safe you can have them checked but first lets do the more likely failures such as tyre rotation and balancing. 5) if they balanced the wheels they may have made a balls up on the correct led weights that they used on the wheels or they where not stuck to the rim properly, due to dirt on the surface that the led weight will be or has been stuck. on good way to check if the wheel alignment and balancing has been done at a 75 to 90% GOOD SETTING. SEE POINTS (1 get a street that it as level as you can, now drive the car up say 10 to 20 miles an hour and let go off the wheel and slowly step on the brake, If the car starts to veer to the left or right side then this will show you that the wheel alignment is out. now this is a ay to check if you do not want to spend on having it checked. note the tyre rotation must be correct to do this.) point 2, Get a long with road with speed limit of say 35 to 75 miles an hour, Now when you do this up to the max speed of 75 mile an hour at any time if the steering wheel starts to rattle and shake this will show you that the balancing is out on one or all the wheels. this you can do your self with out having to pay for it. now at 10mph I doubt it will be any (balancing or alignment if this happens at 10mph) so we will have to look some place ells to see what it is. sorry need more info or need to be there to see the failure. Oh! Sears dam you are very brave, But I will not preach as all to there own mind.

Answer 3

Pads are sometimes made out of a metallic compound and sometimes a sliver of metal will come loose and make a grinding noise. Since you changed the pads that doesn't seem to be the case. You may want to check the bearings, or tie rods at 60k they can and do go out.. Not a costly repair if you catch it quickly enough. Its when you wait until you need axles when you will spend a bunch of money.... good luck


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Answer 4

The dust shield is prob the simplest solution. But the turning factor points to the wheel bearings or CV joint. Out of balance tires would show up at higher speeds

Answer 5

3 possibilitiesI can think of 1 somehow somebody managed to bend a backing plate and its rubbing a rotor, you have a wheel bearing going out, or mo0st likely your tires are cupped or chopped up ,I'd look at the tires first and if they are worn unevenly have them rotated back, while there at it they can check your wheel bearings and inspect your brakes

Answer 6

Sounds like you went over everything. Just take the wheel off and check for metal ware if it is rubbing that bad you should be able to see metal shavings or something.

Answer 7

i'd guess a backing plate or dust shield. it is possible that they didn't have the hoist set right and pushed in to either the backing plates or the exhaust system or both. this happen sometimes by inexperienced mechanics, or your low cost repair shops, or some one in a big hurry to get the job done and is careless.

Answer 8

Check your dust shield it may have just been bent in a little, and rubbing on the inside of the rim,happened to me once.
Just get a flat screw driver and bend it back away from the rim. You may have to repeat a couple of times.

Answer 9

Sounds to me , your backing plate got bent a little when they were doing your tires. Happens all the time.

Answer 10

Go to a real mechanic and start over. It's going to be expensive. You need wheel bearings at least.