Grinding Noise from Passenger Rear Wheel...

[Modern 3kGT]

Anywhere from 0-35mph I hear a grinding noise. Its not constant it only happens for a portion of one cycle of the wheel. The noise is more noticeable when the brakes are not applied, when they are it just quiets down a little. Not feeling any vibration in the brake pedal, just in my seat. Anything above 35-80mph I can't hear it anymore. I bought the car with drilled and slotted rotors but I cannot see any cracks in them and they feel very smooth to the touch. I briefly looked at the dust shields as well, they look like shit and appear to be rusting out very quickly but they don't seem to be in contact with anything that is spinning.

Does anyone have any ideas? The car is a 97 vr4 with exhaust, intake, tien s springs and 145k on the clock.

Thanks in advance, John

[hazards280]

Where the dust shields bolt on could be rusted away and grinding. You cannot see that unless you take of the tire and I believe brake caliper. That was the case in my car at least.

[stealthee]

Could be a wheel bearing, or it could be the brake pads themselves.

[Austin@STM]

did you check the back side of the rotors to check for any wear marks or groves?

[VR-4 0wnz j00]

Wheel bearing or the brakes should be the culprit.

[OhioSpyderman]

I just replaced the rear outer wheel bearings in my Stealth. The symptom was a noticable whine/grumbling from the rear at speeds ABOVE 35 mph.

Just a heads up....

Bob.

[Bob]

Wheel bearing or the brakes should be the culprit.

What he said. ....also check the wear indicator on the brake pads.

[Modern 3kGT]

I have also noticed that I can drive for 10-15 minutes before the noise begins. Here are some pics of that rear passenger rotor.
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[Modern 3kGT]

Does anyone happen to know what kind of rotors I have? I bought the car with them already installed. They look kind of rusty...

[CoopKill]

Jack the car up, pull the wheel, spin the rotor. You most likely have wheel bearing going out as mentioned. Mine did the exact thing and this is how I found out what it was.

It will not tell you which bearing (inner/outer) it is, but while you are there it's best to do both. Should only cost $170ish. If it's way more than that look elsewhere for your work to be done. The bearing are in the $25 x 2 plus $18 for the seal give or take.