What's wrong with my car?

[Orsorum]

I drive a white 92 minivan, 142,000 miles, about due for an oil change, and I know the front brakes need to be replaced, they were at 20% when I had them checked in November. I drive the car twice a week, and usually only three or four blocks, so I've let it go for longer than I normally would. I have checked the oil recently and it is at an acceptable level. It is a FWD car.

About two weeks ago I noticed a scraping noise when I drive. It is loud, it sounds as though something is scraping against one of the wheels. It doesn't seem to be an engine problem (I've revved the car in park to see if it's a belt, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. I haven't noticed any unusual odor after I step out of the car after it is parked.

When the car has been resting for a while, the noise does not start until I reach about 25 MPH, then it continues until I turn off the car. Most interestingly (I thought, at least), the noise stops when I apply the brakes or when I turn the steering wheel to the right. Once either pressure is released the sound resumes.

I want to make sure this isn't critical enough to affect my drive home tomorrow to get it fixed! I'm also curious as to what it is and how much it may cost.

Thanks for any info you can offer.
Cheers!
Nate

1992 Dodge Minivan SE.

 

[wkabel23]

You've looked under the car right?

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: wkabel23
You've looked under the car right?

I've glanced, . There wasn't anything dangling in the wheelwells, at least that I could see. I don't know what I'm looking for!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Whereabouts is the scraping coming from (that you can hear?)

- M4H

 

[43st]

Tie rod ends maybe? I had a similar thing with a grinding noise once but in my case I only heard the noise when I was turning the steering wheel over a certain amount and at a certain speed.

You should be able to get both replaced for $200 (price based on Atlanta mechanic in '98-ish of Maxda 626). I think you should have it checked soon, it's probably alright but the last thing you want is your steering crapping out at highway speeds.

 

[oniq]

Any missing children in your neighborhood?

 

[LSUfan]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
I drive a white 92 minivan, 142,000 miles, about due for an oil change, and I know the front brakes need to be replaced, they were at 20% when I had them checked in November. I drive the car twice a week, and usually only three or four blocks, so I've let it go for longer than I normally would. I have checked the oil recently and it is at an acceptable level.

About two weeks ago I noticed a scraping noise when I drive. It is loud, it sounds as though something is scraping against one of the wheels. It doesn't seem to be an engine problem (I've revved the car in park to see if it's a belt, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. I haven't noticed any unusual odor after I step out of the car after it is parked.

When the car has been resting for a while, the noise does not start until I reach about 25 MPH, then it continues until I turn off the car. Most interestingly (I thought, at least), the noise stops when I apply the brakes or when I turn the steering wheel to the right. Once either pressure is released the sound resumes.

I want to make sure this isn't critical enough to affect my drive home tomorrow to get it fixed! I'm also curious as to what it is and how much it may cost.

Thanks for any info you can offer.
Cheers!
Nate

Sounds like a drive axle or a wheel bearing. Does it also have a clicking sound? Is it front wheel drive?

 

[Ornery]

Sounds like you suspect the brakes. Might as well throw some pads on there to rule that out. Since you're going to do it anyway, there will be no wasted effort or money. You'll also be saving money on turning the rotors, if you haven't already dug into them.

Are you sure it's a scraping noise, and not a squealing belt or bearing?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Most brake shops will do a free inspection for you...

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: LSUfan

Originally posted by: Orsorum
I drive a white 92 minivan, 142,000 miles, about due for an oil change, and I know the front brakes need to be replaced, they were at 20% when I had them checked in November. I drive the car twice a week, and usually only three or four blocks, so I've let it go for longer than I normally would. I have checked the oil recently and it is at an acceptable level.

About two weeks ago I noticed a scraping noise when I drive. It is loud, it sounds as though something is scraping against one of the wheels. It doesn't seem to be an engine problem (I've revved the car in park to see if it's a belt, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. I haven't noticed any unusual odor after I step out of the car after it is parked.

When the car has been resting for a while, the noise does not start until I reach about 25 MPH, then it continues until I turn off the car. Most interestingly (I thought, at least), the noise stops when I apply the brakes or when I turn the steering wheel to the right. Once either pressure is released the sound resumes.

I want to make sure this isn't critical enough to affect my drive home tomorrow to get it fixed! I'm also curious as to what it is and how much it may cost.

Thanks for any info you can offer.
Cheers!
Nate

Sounds like a drive axle or a wheel bearing. Does it also have a clicking sound? Is it front wheel drive?

It doesn't have a clicking sound that I can hear. Yes, it is front wheel drive.

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Whereabouts is the scraping coming from (that you can hear?)

- M4H

It sounds like it's coming from the wheels.

Originally posted by: oniq
Any missing children in your neighborhood?

No, but I'm sure there are a few missing college students. :Q

 

[MercenaryForHire]

the noise stops when I apply the brakes or when I turn the steering wheel to the right

That's the odd part.

- M4H

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Sounds like you suspect the brakes. Might as well throw some pads on there to rule that out. Since you're going to do it anyway, there will be no wasted effort or money. You'll also be saving money on turning the rotors, if you haven't already dug into them.

Are you sure it's a scraping noise, and not a squealing belt or bearing?

It's something between a scraping and a squealing noise. What would the difference be?

<--- a complete n00b when it comes to cars.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Whereabouts is the scraping coming from (that you can hear?)

- M4H

It sounds like it's coming from the wheels.

Axle/bearings perhaps?

And oh yeah - Make and model of SoccerMomMobile?

- M4H

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

the noise stops when I apply the brakes or when I turn the steering wheel to the right

That's the odd part.

- M4H

Yeah. That's why I suspect the brakes, even though I'm clueless when it comes to cars.

 

[Ornery]

If the car is stationary, and revving the engine cause the same noise, it's definitely a squealing belt or bearing. Turn the wheel while in park, and listen for it, too.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Ornery
If the car is stationary, and revving the engine cause the same noise, it's definitely a squealing belt or bearing.

Did you even read his post?

The sound isn't there when he revs in park. It goes away when he brakes or turns right. (What about left?)

- M4H

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Ornery
If the car is stationary, and revving the engine cause the same noise, it's definitely a squealing belt or bearing. Turn the wheel while in park, and listen for it, too.

That's the thing, the noise doesn't occur if it's stationary.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Ornery
If the car is stationary, and revving the engine cause the same noise, it's definitely a squealing belt or bearing.

Did you even read his post?

The sound isn't there when he revs in park. It goes away when he brakes or turns right. (What about left?)

- M4H

It does not go away when I turn left.

 

[LSUfan]

Are your CV boots ripped? If you jack up the van can you feel freeplay in the bearings by moving the wheel. (that's not normal?)

 

[Ornery]

I must have glossed over the revving in park sentence. You know more than you give yourself credit for!


"...the noise does not start until I reach about 25 MPH, then it continues until I turn off the car."

Does that mean it's still squealing even when it's not moving?

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: LSUfan
Are your CV boots ripped? If you jack up the van can you feel freeplay in the bearings by moving the wheel. (that's not normal?)

I don't know. I haven't tried yet.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Ornery
I must have glossed over the revving in park sentence. You know more than you give yourself credit for!


"...the noise does not start until I reach about 25 MPH, then it continues until I turn off the car."

Does that mean it's still squealing even when it's not moving?

My apologies for the lack of clarification - it stops when the vehicle is stopped, it squeals when the vehicle is in motion except for when brakes are applied or the steering wheel is turned to the left.

 

[mandala]

Given that the noise "goes away" when you brake, I'd check the brakes first. It's possible that you've got something (debris, the brake pad, etc.) scraping against the wheel as you're driving.

 

[cricky]

Which wheel is the squealing coming from? Driver's/Passenger's Front/Rear? Sounds like you need new pads and they are screaming their end. You said it yourself there was only 20% in Nov.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: cricky
Which wheel is the squealing coming from? Driver's/Passenger's Front/Rear? Sounds like you need new pads and they are screaming their end. You said it yourself there was only 20% in Nov.

That's what I suspected, I've been putting off replacing them. However, I didn't know that they would make such a squealing/scraping sound when the brakes are NOT applied.