There is a rubbing sound coming from my wheels when I drive

[IDontKnowCars]

I have recorded the noise (Well, a passenger did with the window down - safety first!).

This is a 2008 UK Honda Civic that I bought a few months ago. I first noticed the noise shortly after buying it and haven't been able to get an answer from people I know about what the noise is. I needed to get my tyres replaced so I thought I'd wait until this was done before I investigated further in case it was related to bad tyres.

I got tyres replaced today and still noticed the noise (Very similar to before).

Here is the noise: https://youtu.be/sgq04hys69c


It sounds like something is rubbing when the wheels are in one particular position - it's a soft scraping noise. As I drive faster the noise happens more frequently, once going 20MPH and above you can't really hear it above the engine and the wind (Plus it is going so fast it would sound like a constant tone anyway).

What can I do about it?

[IDontKnowCars]

Codswallop said:

Does the noise change when you apply the brakes?

I haven't checked. I will check this morning and get back to you. What does it mean either way?

Pica-Pica said:

Nothing till you find out what it is. If only at certain wheel angles, could be front calliper hose rubbing (routing clip missing). ABS sensor wire rubbing (again routing issue). Debris, wheel arch liner, under shield loose or strip torn an deflected. Pads rubbing?

As far as I am aware, it is unrelated to wheel angle. Although I haven't explicitly tested. Will do this morning and get back to you.

mannyo said:

Chock wheels on opposite side of car, release handbrake and then use a Jack and raise each corner of the car at a time and spin the wheel.

Once you have identified which wheel is causing the problem, remove said wheel and inspect the area. It could be as simple as a brake dust shield rubbing against the disc or a piece of debris wedged between the shield and the disc.

Check all four wheels, remember to reapply handbrake when moving chocks from one side of the car to the other.

To be sure I know what I'm doing and am safe:

I have bricks, do I put these either side of 3 of the tyres, put the jack under a suitable part near the remaining tyre, lift it off, then carry out the inspection? Is that safe? Do I need jack stands or any fancy equipment?

road_rager said:

Sounds like a failing wheel bearing to me

This is horrible news. I hope not

However, from YouTube videos I have watched, a failing wheel bearing is usually a constant sound that is more like grinding than a scraping sound. Although I obviously have no clue myself.

1173russ said:

Just turn the stereo up and forget about it,, It'll let you know when it needs addressing with cash,, that works for me,,

Is it nothing to worry about then? Or are you being sarcastic?

stevensdrs said:

Had the same noise. On investigation I discovered it was caused by the brake disc guards behind the discs which were slightly bent and were fouling the discs.

kambites said:

The wife's car did this and something had just bent the brake disk shield so it was just rubbing on the lip of the disc. They're pretty soft, I just pushed it back by hand and it's been fine since.

That would be a nice thing to find out. Nothing serious. Can I access the guard without having to jack up the car?

V40Vinnie said:

Its not got Aftermarket wheels on it has it op?

It does not.

98elise said:

OP, does the noise increase when you go around a corner, but get less when you go around the opposite corner? Roundabouts are good for this as you load up one side, then the other (as you exit).

I haven't tested. Will do this morning. What does it mean if it does?

[IDontKnowCars]

Codswallop said:

Does the noise change when you apply the brakes?

Tested it now. No it does not. The noise just gets less frequent because I am going slower.

WokingWedger said:

Some Hondas have a audible brake pad wear warning and it is as simple as a separate metal part I believe that makes contact before the pad is fully gone.

Or I could have dreamt that, but worth a check!

I thought this was the case on all cars? It is not the distinctive speaking of a worn brake pad.

Pica-Pica said:

Nothing till you find out what it is. If only at certain wheel angles, could be front calliper hose rubbing (routing clip missing). ABS sensor wire rubbing (again routing issue). Debris, wheel arch liner, under shield loose or strip torn an deflected. Pads rubbing?

It happens at all wheel angles - I just went out and tested.

55palfers said:

A badger jammed in the wheelarch?

Nah, I relocated him to the engine bay, he seem much cozier in there.

[IDontKnowCars]

98elise said:

It could indicate a wheel bearing. As you turn one way the outside wheels experience more weight and force. Turn the other way and the other set of wheels experience the force.

Ideally you want a bit of speed to put the bearings under a bit of pressure.

If the noise does change, jack the car up and grip the wheel at the 12 and 6 position, and try to wobble the wheel. If you can feel/hear a knock them it's the bearing.

I've had about 4 or 5 bearing failures, and each one could be heard on a roundabout, and was obvious when the car was on a jack

Wheel bearings are not difficult to replace.

Somebody else told me that wheel bearings were really labour intensive and expensive to fix. Is this not true?

As for checking it myself, is what you're saying to do the same as what ChrisFix says to do in his wheel bearing checking video? https://youtu.be/YvKWGjmPKoc?t=1m27s

[IDontKnowCars]

eltax91 said:

I've got an Accord Tourer of the same year, 2008. I assume the rear brake setup is same/ similar on a civic.

It's been the cats Achilles heel. Constant attention to the rear brakes. To solve a noise very similar to this I've ended up with new calipers, flexi hoses (braided as they have a reputation for collapsing), discs, pads and caliper mounts (pads getting stuck in the slider and not returning properly).

The last one was the one that seemed to solve it, 10k miles noise free now

Was it a safety issue or something that could cause wear to the car? Or am I ok in at least leaving this issue a while without fear of my car or myself exploding into a thousand pieces?

[IDontKnowCars]

Mr2Mike said:

Either way the OP's noise does not sound like a bearing, much more likely to be a brake related problem.

I certainly hope not. From what I can tell, brake are cheaper than wheel bearings to fix.

Is there any chance that having one of these free brake checks from a national garage (ProTyre seem ok) would be able to identify the issue?

https://www.protyre.co.uk/garage-services/free-bra...

[IDontKnowCars]

familyguy1 said:

perhaps a simple stone trapped in the wheel guard causing it to rub. Depends if its happening all the time or not.

It is every time I get in the car, yes.

[IDontKnowCars]

familyguy1 said:

simple things.

When you drive the car does it make the noise all the time ?

When you drive the car and press the brake pedal does the noise start/get louder ?

Can you get a passenger to ride in the car and open all windows and listen to see if its louder front/back left/right

After about 20MPH it can't be heard simply because of the fact that the engine is loud, the wind is loud, and the individual sounds will be occurring so frequently that it would sound like a continuous tone which cannot be distinguished from any other background noise.

Pressing the brake has no direct effect on the noise (Although as I am going slower from pressing the brake, the noise is less frequent)

The passenger thinks it is the back-right wheel.

eltax91 said:

The pads getting stuck in the slider certainly wasn't a safety issue. The brakes will always work as the caliper can press the pads onto the disc. The problem was the pads won't move back properly as the carrier is corroded, no amount of cleaning/ grinding improved it. I could tell something wasn't right when the wheel was hot to the touch after a run, others weren't.

In terms of consequences of leaving it to make the noise, in my case would have been:-

Horrendous mpg as the brakes are always dragging
Excessive heat in the hub fking up my new discs, pads or caliper

Hope this helps you diagnose

I'll check the temperatures if I get the chance to use my car later.

As for MPG, I average about 34MPG, is this typical of a 2008 1.8L hatchback?

[IDontKnowCars]

Just took it in for the free brake check. They said nothing about the rubbing sound. But said that I need to buy 4 new pads and disks from them for £400.

Also, regarding the suggestion that I try the handbrake as I drive. I tried it a little, it didn't seem to make a difference - although it was hard to tell because my car does a very loud beeping sound if I drive with the handbrake on at all.

[IDontKnowCars]

PoleDriver said:

Did you ask if the faulty brakes and disks could be causing the sound?

They didn't really say anything other than I needed 4 new pads/disks when asked. Were quite vague.

greysquirrel said:

Free brake check turns into new discs and pads required all round shocker. Surprised they didn’t tell you what a death trap it was.

Yeah, I was always prepared for them to peddle as much as they could. I'm not claiming it is or is not necessary, I frankly do not know, but I can objectively see how they have a vested interest to say things need repairing.

Fore Left said:

Where did you take it? I'd take it somewhere trustworthy for a second opinion. Whereabouts are you? Someone on here might be able to recommend somewhere.

I took it to a Protyre garage. I won't say which one in particular out of respect for them. I have no idea if they are good or bad.

I live in Southampton. I only just moved here from a few hundred miles away so have no local knowledge of good garages haha. If anybody knows good local places, I would love to hear about them