The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

Simonfathead · Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 20:40 Post subject: Strange grinding noise at speed

I have a very strange intermittent noise which doesnt happen all the time and its always above 50mph (or more). It sounds like a really loud grinding noise coming from what i think is the front passenger side wheel area but not sure but it does sound like that side. It doesnt always happen as I have just done a week in Dorset and didnt hear it once and then it will just pop up again at random! If you slow down it goes away and then speed up sometimes it will come back others not. It doesn't matter if your accerlerating or just maintaning speed or even taking your foot of the pedal it can still happen.
Does any body have any idea where to look? Just had new front brake pads and a front lower ball joint and that didn't cure it. The car handles great no power loss, no smoke. I have just changed the fuel filter and what came out the filter was crystal clear diesel.

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trekker · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:52 Post subject:

Given the noise pattern, I'd be looking to a wheel bearing. Perhaps jack up and feel by hand rotation.

Simonfathead · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 9:14 Post subject:

thanks ill give that a try, how would you tell though if the wheel bearing is bad?

Simonfathead · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:27 Post subject:

is it best to replace the whole hub (bearings and all) or just replace the bearings in the hub

Craig-SM · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 12:56 Post subject:

Jack the vehicle up securely so the wheel is off the ground. Grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock the wheel toward yourself at 90 degree. You’re trying to feel any slight movement. Repeat at 3 and 9 o’clock. Rotate the wheel slowly feeling for any roughness or resistance in the rotation.
Even a slight movement can be amplified with speed and weight of the vehicle.

assassin · Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 3:54 Post subject:

I would look at the disc back plate as they corrode and fall slightly and catch on either the brake disc oronto the inside of the wheel.

SteveW-DID · ***** Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 826 Location: Dorset

Also make sure the plastic trim in the wheel arch is all secure,if loose it can be pushed forward at speed and contact the wheel

SteveW-DID · ***** Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 826 Location: Dorset

If its wheel bearing it usually is noisy when unloaded so front passenger side would be noisy on a left hand turn. This is not always true,sometimes it can happen in reverse depending on the design of the bearing but easy to see if the noise is related to turning.

Simonfathead · Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 14:30 Post subject:

thanks for the replys, when the ball joint was done there was a little play in the wheel bearing. It doesnt happen when turning and the plastic trims are securly in place will look at the disc back plate when its not raining

once again thanks for the guidance