CommanderXJ

I replaced the front brake pads about 2 years ago and have since put maybe 15-20k miles on them. The rotors were changed just last year. Anyways, the issue I am having is I am feeling and hearing a slight grinding noise that is most noticeable when coming to a stop.

I checked the pads and they still have some good amount of tread on them...so I am wondering if this is at all related to a bad wheel bearing? I've never replaced one on the cherokee before but I can't imagine it being too much of a head ache.

If it is a bad wheel bearing though, wouldn't the noise get progressively louder as I accelerate?

Thanks, I just don't wanna go chasing butterflies with this one here and needlessly replace crap.

CommanderXJ

bump

Jeroen

Feel for any heat build up on the rims after you've driven a while.
If the pads are sticky that will result is some noticable heat build up in the respective wheel/rim compared to the other ones.

A truly "gone" bearing might do the same, but if it's reallly that far gone, it tends to create quite a bit of noise

Or something (e.g. a pebble) might have got stuck between the pad and rotor.

Or, just jack up the car, wheel by wheel, rotate the wheel untill you find the offender. Listen for the sound and try rock the wheel in both vertical and horizontal plane. If there's no or minimal play your bearings should be fine. If the bearing seems ok, but you hear the sound when turning the wheel it's probably the pad or something that got stuck. Take the pad out, clean everything and re-install and see what happens

Jeroen