I have a 99 Cherokee classic 4wd with a straight 6. When a brake hard a getting a grinding/rubbing sound from the front driver side. It sounds like it's coming from the engine compartment. I've changed the pads and inspected the calipers and see nothing unusual.

I'm not quite sure how to troubleshoot this. Suspension and related areas are not really my specialty. I'm not sure if it's a motor mount issue, wheel bearing, steering, braking system, etc...

Any advice on where to begin would be helpful.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue?

 

Is the backing plate for the rotor touching or close?

 

It doesn't appear to be

 

Jack it up. Support it with jack stands. Rotate tires.

 

Stop breaking it and it will last longer.

 

Did it do it before replacing the pads?

 

Are we braking or breaking?

Brakes:

I've seen drum and disc brakes, drums and discs break, but never drum or disc breaks.

 

I've seen a drum break. Had to shoot it with a .45-70, but it broke.

 

I'm so glad this was addressed.

 

It was making the noise before I changed the pads, that's what prompted me to change them. Sadly the noise is still there.

 

Do what cruiser mentioned and report back. Does it stop grinding immediately after you let off the brake?

 

I'll do that and check back. And yes, it stop right after braking

 

How do your rotors look? If it's only when you're braking, I feel like its gotta be brake related.

I know you said it did the grinding before the pad change, but did you "bed in" the pads after you installed them? This is important!

 

Going out on a limb here, but could bad motor mounts be shoving the mechanical fan into the shroud under heavy braking? I would also check the rear brakes, I swore a grinding sound was coming from my front right but it persisted after replacing the pads. I am pretty sure now it is my rear brakes that are bad and echoing into the cab.

 

Just to add to the fun, jack it up, check wheel bearing? Wheel assembly changing relative position under braking load could cause various noises and not be easily seen under "normal" conditions.

Tim.