Hi all. I have a problem with my 2001 bug wrx. When driving I get a strange rubbing or catching noise from what seems to be from the front passenger side. It's really hard to explain. It speeds up when I put my foot down and slows down when comming to a stop. It does it in gear and out of gear with the clutch in or out. It only had its mot 2 weeks since and a service including cambelt. It's done 98k. If anyone can shed any light on this it would be much appreciated because its doing my nut in.

 

Possibly the disc guard catching the disc? Does it get any worse if the wheels are turned one way or or the other? It would sound sort of a high pitch sort of rub rather than a deep low noise if that makes sense bit like a teacher rubbing her nails down a chalk board

Just a suggestion

 

It doesn't really make any difference turning left or right to be honest. I will defo check this out when I get home from work tonight tho! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Well I've checked the disc guard and its a bit corroded but clear of the disc? Strange?

 

It may look clear in some cases but catches when brakes get hot and getting used which is when the noise can tend to be more noticeable, like I say it was just a guess it may not even be it but just try to pry it back gently of the disc, when you move the top part the bottom will tend to pull in and vice versa so use something to hold the guard back at what ever end you start and work your way around, just what I have found in the past anyway

Can you describe the noise or possibly get a video of it and upload it? have you jacked the side in question up and spun the wheel to see if you can hear the noise? Is the noise more noticeable when hot or cold, is it a light noise or more of a heavy noise, if its heavy and gets worse perhaps look at the bearings but that is more of a constant drone / grumble noise.

 

How are the pads? The pad wear indicator is a piece of steel that rubs on the disc when there worn out

 

^^ Good shout

 

It's so hard to describe. It tends to be louder when cold. It sounds like if you get you finger on a table and run it in a circular motion similar to that! The pads are fine. I will try and upload a video over the next few days see if anyone recognises it? Thanks for the replies.

 

Could be wheel bearings.
Is the noise constant from when you start moving or does it start at a certain speed??

 

Yes it's constant from when you start moving then speeds up when faster but hard to hear at higher speeds. There doesn't seem to be any play when I jacked it up earlier.

 

Did you find the fault?