I have a noise too.. Rubbing sound from front left wheel well

[TechBoyJK]

I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer

There's a rubbing sound coming from the front left wheel area.

1) Having the tires rotated didn't change the sound at all. No effect.

2) No visual signs of anything wrong. Tires look fine. Air pressure is fine.

3) Alignment seems fine. Alignment was done about 9 months ago (before any sounds started) and it still seems ok. I can coast down the highway without swaying left or right. No pull either direction.

4) Rubbing sound is moderate when driving straight. When turning left, it increases in intensity. When turning right, especially on an onramp, the rubbing sound disappears and comes back only when I straighten out and to merge on the highway.

Thoughts?

 

[RLGL]

time to check brake pads

 

[jaha2000]

Number 4 screams wheel bearing but if your hearing from the correct spot your turning directions would be reversed.

 

[jlee]

Number 4 screams wheel bearing but if your hearing from the correct spot your turning directions would be reversed.

I agree. I'd be curious if someone listened from the passenger side, if it would appear to come from there.

 

[mizzou]

Number 4 screams wheel bearing but if your hearing from the correct spot your turning directions would be reversed.

To check your wheel hub bearing Techboy, jack your car up on the wheel causing problems.

Grasp the tire firmly with both hands and rock it back and forth. If it wobbles, you need to replace your wheel hub bearing assembly.

If it feels firm and doesn't wobble, then your wheel hub might be OK but maybe it's just being a bit noisy.

It's about well past time for those to start failing on your 2006 if theyve never been changed before.

 

[TechBoyJK]

To check your wheel hub bearing Techboy, jack your car up on the wheel causing problems.

Grasp the tire firmly with both hands and rock it back and forth. If it wobbles, you need to replace your wheel hub bearing assembly.

If it feels firm and doesn't wobble, then your wheel hub might be OK but maybe it's just being a bit noisy.

It's about well past time for those to start failing on your 2006 if theyve never been changed before.

Nope, they haven't been changed. Is it an age thing or a mileage thing? Surprisingly, this thing only has 61,000 miles on it.

 

[trenchfoot]

Nope, they haven't been changed. Is it an age thing or a mileage thing? Surprisingly, this thing only has 61,000 miles on it.

Kind'a depends on a number of things. Most often though, if your wheels have a lot of offset (custom wheels?) then they will increase the stress on your wheel bearings a lot, leading to premature wear. Off-roading does that a lot too. Over tightening on the lash adjusting nut will also give off a rubbing noise, but that usually is accompanied by a burning oil smell and if its really bad, some smoking to go along with it.

Could it be that your wheel/tire combination is causing the tire to rub against the wheel well toward the inner/rearward side? I mention this because turning left will make the tire rub worse in that area and straightening the wheel will then lessen the noise.

I hope you isolate the noise before the rubbing noise turns into a grinding shrieking noise or maybe wear a hole in your wheel well somewhere.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Kind'a depends on a number of things. Most often though, if your wheels have a lot of offset (custom wheels?) then they will increase the stress on your wheel bearings a lot, leading to premature wear. Off-roading does that a lot too. Over tightening on the lash adjusting nut will also give off a rubbing noise, but that usually is accompanied by a burning oil smell and if its really bad, some smoking to go along with it.

Could it be that your wheel/tire combination is causing the tire to rub against the wheel well toward the inner/rearward side? I mention this because turning left will make the tire rub worse in that area and straightening the wheel will then lessen the noise.

I hope you isolate the noise before the rubbing noise turns into a grinding shrieking noise or maybe wear a hole in your wheel well somewhere.

Stock wheels and standard tires. Tread looks fine, imho.

 

[trenchfoot]

Stock wheels and standard tires. Tread looks fine, imho.

OK. Then could it be that one of the gravel pans or plastic splash guards have come loose on the drivers side such that when the Blazer is moving the air mass rushing under the car pulls the piece out of position and then starts rubbing against the tire or some other rotating part in the drive train?

 

[jaha2000]

Does it seem to be speed dependent? Meaning the frequency of the noise changes with how fast you are going?

 

[Zargon]

OK. Then could it be that one of the gravel pans or plastic splash guards have come loose on the drivers side such that when the Blazer is moving the air mass rushing under the car pulls the piece out of position and then starts rubbing against the tire or some other rotating part in the drive train?

+1

 

[allanon1965]

My money is on a bad right front wheel bearing....normally the noise will get louder loaded and quieter unloaded. Turning left loads the right front and turning right unloads the right front....

 

[OutHouse]

OP did you get it looked at?