Wheel bearing, rotor grinding scraping noise?

SUSANRENEEA

MEMBER
2009 KIA RIO
1.6L
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Yes, I changed my wheel bearing first. It was fine until driving it about 30 miles. Then it started making noise. I got another wheel bearing and hub assembly, and lower ball joints because the wheel looked like it wasn't all the way straight. When changing it 2 and time noticed a very small scrape on the rotor. At first it was fine the first few miles, then it started sounding like the brakes were sticking or something scraping, the rotor, what I thought, (possibly a small rock got stuck in between the rotor and brake?) Because I park in carport in alley and its dirt and rocks etc. But now it's making the sound all the time when wheels are rolling, not like at beginning when it made noise, when applying brakes, and stopped when not pressing brakes? I'm sure if I take it to a shop, they will figure it out, just can't really afford shop. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated.

1 Reply

BRENDON S

MECHANIC
653 POSTS

Hello SUSANRENEEA,

Sounds like the bearing might have moved. I am assuming this was a front wheel?

I would jack it up and shakedown the wheel and see if there is any play. If there is for whatever reason it would cause the rotor to hit the caliper because the rotor is mounted on the bearing and the caliper is mounted on the knuckle.

I am going to add instructions on how to replace the wheel bearing and how to check it. My thought is the axle nut may have loosened up, which can happen from the heat from driving.

How did the snap ring go in? Were you able to get it fully seated? Was there a washer installed behind the axle nut and a cotter pin installed? What was the axle nut torqued to?

I would look over these install procedures and double check everything. It is imperative that the bearing is torqued correctly. All torque specs are included in the information I am sending you.

When torquing the axle nut, leave vehicle jacked up just enough so the tire touches the ground to keep it from spinning but doesn't have the entire weight of the vehicle on it. If it is done on the ground with weight on it you may not torque it correctly causing the bearing to come apart.

Torque Spec for axle nut is 145-188 ft. Lbs.

Please let me know if I can clarify anything.

Thank you,
Brendon

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