Metallic clanging/grinding noise at 50mph plus

[funkyrobot]

I'm 90 miles from home and my shed Focus has developed a weird noise. It's like a metallic pinging/grinding noise as if something is catching. It only does it over 50 mph.

Before this happened there was a weird noise as if something wasn't spinning right.

It seems to be on the rear. I have drum brakes on the back.

I've had a quick look under the car and can't see anything loose. Nothing seems to be catching the wheel or tyre. There is no noticeable shimmy on the steering wheel.

Any ideas? It doesn't happen over bumps, just over 50 mph. Weird.

[davwill]

Possibly a brake shoe spring or hold down clip broke. Does the noise go of if you press the brake slightly?

[LuS1fer]

Almost impossible to diagnose but check you haven't lost part of a broken spring and that all your wheel bolts are tight.

[funkyrobot]

Cheers both. Car parked up now until tomorrow so I'll check the wheel nuts when I get back to it. I'll also see if the noise goes away when braking.

[funkyrobot]

It had new brake shoes fitted before I bought it. And there has been a noise like whale sound (yes, really) when pulling off from a standstill. Could be connected.

[LuS1fer]

Whale sounds usually mean worn wheel bearing(s) which are easy enough to replace but can seize so be careful.

I have had several cars which "wail and moan" like a tube train and it has always been the rear wheel bearing even though it sounded like it came from the front.

[bunchofkeys]

You may want to check any brake shields from the corner that's making the noise.
They can move and rub up against a moving part, happened to my dads van, but easy to correct.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks. Sounds tinny like brake shield.

Interesting mention of wheel bearing. One was replaced at same time as the brake shoes.

Thanks again all.

[LuS1fer]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks. Sounds tinny like brake shield.

Interesting mention of wheel bearing. One was replaced at same time as the brake shoes.

Thanks again all.

Some aftermarket bearings are shoddy quality - I had three in very quick succession on a Golf GTI.
Also if not fitted properly and torqued too tight or overpacked with grease, they fail.

[funkyrobot]

I'll just have to coax the car home and hope for the best before I can look at it.

[rxe]

Turn the radio up.

[funkyrobot]

rxe said:

Turn the radio up.

The ultimate solution.

[funkyrobot]

Wheel nuts seem tight. Can't move them with the bog standard wheel wrench. That isn't the issue. Oh well. Will wait til I get home and get the wheels off.

[cuprabob]

It could be a trapped stone.

[funkyrobot]

We have a gravel drive so could be that.

When it started today I was rather nervous. Had the family in the car heading to the seaside for a short break. Took the shed as my wife's Polo needs the rear brakes doing.

As I said above, it started as a weird spinning noise. Everything was fine until about 40 minutes into the 2 hour journey and the noise just started. By the time we got to the seaside, it had become a metallic noise.

Oh well. I've calmed down about it now (I have anxiety issues) and I'll take a look when we get home. I bought the car to learn spannering on so it's time to get stuck in.

I'll just take it steady going home and see how it goes.

[funkyrobot]

Well, the old shed got us home fine. Heard the noise a little on the way back, but not much. If I hadn't heard it on Tuesday I wouldn't even know it was there.

What I have noticed though is that there is a definite grumble above 50mph. You can hear it as it resonates. Also, when turning sharp left at low speed, the front right makes a hell of a knocking/rumbling noise. It's like something is loose. Could it be a dodgy bushing?

[E-bmw]

So I take it you are still driving it?

Where do you live & I will alert the emergency services?

[E-bmw]

Stories like that remind me of something I saw a few years ago now.

Following a badly smoking old 205 just bimbling along on the motorway nursing the engine.

Smoking stops, car speeds up as he notices & thinks it is now OK.

I backed off & about 1 mile later and then his engine seized & pretty much emptied its mechanical parts over the carriageway.

[funkyrobot]

I drove it to get it home, yes. It's now on the driveway and I'll take a look at it over the weekend.

It's a bit different to a smoking engine.

[E-bmw]

funkyrobot said:

I drove it to get it home, yes. It's now on the driveway and I'll take a look at it over the weekend.

Good answer

funkyrobot said:

It's a bit different to a smoking engine.

I know, it was just the reference to the bit where you said if it weren't for you hearing it happen you wouldn't know it. As it implied that you were going to ignore it.