weird noise at low speeds
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 221
weird noise at low speeds
My '10 GS has started to make a strange rattly-scrapy sound recently. It starts roughly at 10 mph to about 25-30 mph. It sounds almost as though something is contacting the brake rotor but I can't see anything touching it. My thoughts were torque tube bearing or wheel bearing, but the sound goes away above 30 mph. I've tried hitting the brakes and gas when the sound starts but it does not go away. The sound seems like a brake pad clip rattle but its strange it doesnt occur at higher speeds. I also got my tire patched recently and thought maybe the TPMS has come apart - but i lifted the car and spun the tires and I do not hear anything inside when i spin it slowly.
I checked the pulley (its fine), checked axles (nothing contacting), checked wheel play for wheel bearing failure (no lateral movement, could still be bad), ran the car on stands briefly, TT doesn't seem to be making any consistent noise, diff sounds ok too.
I checked the pulley (its fine), checked axles (nothing contacting), checked wheel play for wheel bearing failure (no lateral movement, could still be bad), ran the car on stands briefly, TT doesn't seem to be making any consistent noise, diff sounds ok too.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 493
From: South Florida
Oddly enough I just had a similar problem to what you are describing on my 11 GS. Rear drivers wheel area had a intermittent grinding sound. I thought it was my wheel center cap because I could easily spin it by hand, and the sound was similar just not as loud. Took the cap off, drove the car 3 different times and it didn’t do it again. Put it back in without fixing anything and it hasn’t come back. I likely will be using some type of tape on the inside rivets of the cap to secure it a little better, but I’m almost positive that’s what was causing the noise.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 221
Thanks slowtealz - I checked the centercaps but since I run the Z06 rims, it doesnt actually rotate in place. I did find what I believe is the issue - the ebrake shoe within the rotor hat was slightly misaligned, rubbing up against the rotor. I cleaned the dust, reseated the rotor properly, and took it for another drive and havent heard a peep yet. Hoping its gone for good, probably will be swapping rotors and ebrakes soon too so if it gets misaligned again i'll just swap em instead of trying to fix it.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 493
From: South Florida
Thanks slowtealz - I checked the centercaps but since I run the Z06 rims, it doesnt actually rotate in place. I did find what I believe is the issue - the ebrake shoe within the rotor hat was slightly misaligned, rubbing up against the rotor. I cleaned the dust, reseated the rotor properly, and took it for another drive and havent heard a peep yet. Hoping its gone for good, probably will be swapping rotors and ebrakes soon too so if it gets misaligned again i'll just swap em instead of trying to fix it.
Very cool, next time my car goes into the shop for upgrades I am going to have them check out the rear pads/rotors/axle bolts and ebrake just to triple check.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 221
I would ask them to do a little cleaning/aligning of the rear shoe within the caliper - or just swap out the old shoe for a new one. They're pretty cheap ($30 ish?) and come with all needed hardware. I have a full set sitting in my room but I figured I'd test this fix out to see before throwing parts at it. It's been silent for three drives since I've done the fix so I believe it fixed the issue. Prior, it would make the sound at least once every two drives. I suspect it will start making noises again if I use the ebrake often - probably a worn shoe/rotor combination.
