stinsonbr

2000 XJ with 244k miles. Whenever I turn left into a parking spot I hear a quick grinding noise from the front passenger side. It's only when I'm turning a sharp left and braking at the same time, and it goes away quick, like something rubs against something else for only a moment. It's gradually getting worse too. I jacked it up and turned everything by hand without any noise or issues, and I took the tire off to inspect the brakes but it doesn't look like anything is rubbing there. Any ideas?

SteveMongr

First, I would check the brake pad thickness. Feel both sides of rotor for any gouges or unevenness. Also the dust shield that covers the rotor can rub against rotor.
Then check wheel bearing, axle u-joints and balljoints.

CompleteCherokee

Steve has good suggestions. Remember that when turning, you are not just turning the tires, but also the camber is pivoting as well (ie: top of tire is turning out farther than the bottom of the tire), which can allow it to rub more things. Did you check the inside edge of the fender and splash shield to see if there were rub marks?

stinsonbr

Brake pads look alright. The inside one has slightly more wear than the outside though. Rotor looks good. The dust shield was really close to the rotor in one spot, so I bent it back out a ways. Wheel bearings are fine, I changed those not too long ago. U joint has a little play in it. Ball joint seems fine.

I just drove it around and the noise seems to be gone. I'm guessing it was the dust shield then, thanks for the tip. Should have seemed obvious...

Should there be any play in the u joint? There wasn't much, but I definitely could get it to jiggle a little bit.

SteveMongr

The axle u-joints should not have any play or slop. If one needs replaced than do both sides.

stinsonbr

That will be the next thing I do. Thanks guys.