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?

[Codswallop]

Does the noise change when you apply the brakes?

[Pica-Pica]

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?

[Yipper]

They sold you a lemon.

[mannyo]

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.

[road_rager]

Sounds like a failing wheel bearing to me

[Plate spinner]

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.

This

[1173russ]

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

[FerdiZ28]

Yipper said:

They sold you a lemon.

Only one lemon in here.

[stevensdrs]

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]

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.

[55palfers]

A badger jammed in the wheelarch?

[V40Vinnie]

Its not got Aftermarket wheels on it has it op?

[98elise]

road_rager said:

Sounds like a failing wheel bearing to me

Could well be.

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).

[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?

[1173russ]

Yeah, a Tad sarcastic, i've had similar with brake backing plates, also had the friction material fall off the pad back, if you ain't handy with the spanners get it checked out somewhere.

[kambites]

IDontKnowCars said:

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?

Depends on the car, you might be able to get your hand in behind the wheel to see if there's clearance between the guard and the disc. Almost certainly easier to jack it up and take the wheel off though.

[csd19]

Another vote here to check the disc heatshield as the first culprit.

[Leptons]

Wheel balance weight catching on calliper?

[SouthHamsGaz]

Had a very similar noise on the rear of a mk4 golf. Only did it once per wheel rotation for about 20degrees of movement and was fine when jacked up, which made diagnosis frustrating. Was the wheel bearing.