2004 Pontiac Grand Am Serious rubbing noise

C & M ENNIS

MEMBER
2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM

Tires and Wheels problem
2004 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 95000 km

Hi,

I just purchased a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. (From a dealership)

I took it out for a test drive and it was great. Then they worked on it to pass a safety.

They put on new tires and new brakes (amongst other things).

Now the car makes a terrible rubbing/grinding noise from the passenger side front wheel. It happens predominantly when you are taking a sharp left, like to get into a parking space. It doesn't sound so much metal on metal as it sounds as though the tire is rubbing against the wheel well.

It does seem to me that that wheel is on a wierd angle. Almost angled down, the part closest to the car being the high point. But I don't know if that has anything to do with the noise.

The brakes are squeaking a little but I'm not sure that these 2 things are related.

There are no other symptoms ei:

the car does not pull to any one side (even when this noise occurs).

it isn't hard to steer or control the car

The brakes don't stutter.

It is fine to turn corners, just not tight left banking.

Right hand banking: well you can sort of hear the noise but not at all like the when you go left.

Any theories?

3 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

Driving slowly with windows down, turn left slightly and right slightly, do you hear a clicking noise?

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Saturday, April 26th, 2008 AT 8:40 PM

C & M ENNIS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

K,

Thank you for responding.

I did that drive test. There is no audible clicking sound.
The grinding is there all the time now; just worse when you turn left and the noise is most definitely coming from the passenger side front wheel.
However, I am beginning to think the sound is very similar to that of a caliper or rotor issue.

They told me that they had to replace the brakes; could they have replaced the pads and not even looked at anything else?

I cannot see it having passed a safety test if that noise is brake related.

Although if that is all it is, it will be on them to correct the problem. I literally drove it off the lot and within the first 10 km had to make a left turn to park between 2 cars and the noise was there.

Can I ask you where you were headed with this drive test, clicking sound?
Were you thinking CV related?

Please tell me that it is most likely a brake issue so that it will be on them to correct the problem