Metallic grating on wheel rotation

Shamrock · 05-21-2012, 07:02 AM

Hi guys, a friend of mine (also a member the370z) here in Israel asked me to post this question. My English is better. His car is lowered with kw coilovers variant 3 and he has developed a strong metallic grating sound when turning the steering wheel at a standstill. The dealership checked the steering rack and it was ok. The don't know whether it is the ball bearings or cv joints. Any ideas? There aren't many z's here. Maybe ten.

ChrisSlicks · 05-21-2012, 07:56 AM

If you are at a complete standstill then neither the wheel bearings or CV joints are moving and can't make any noise. I would check closely to make sure there isn't any parts rubbing against each other as a result of the aftermarket shocks and lowering. Sometimes it is as simple as the brake rotor splash guard rubbing against the brake rotor, it sounds horrible but can be fixed in 30 seconds.

Shamrock · 05-21-2012, 08:46 AM

This only happens when the car is on the ground not on the lift. What are the rotor splash guards? What about the joint that connects the steering rods to the wheels.

ChrisSlicks · 05-21-2012, 09:32 AM

They are also called "dust shields". It is a thin piece of sheet metal that sits behind the brake rotor to keep excess dirt and water off the brakes. They are easily bent out of shape if you bang a wheel against the rotor when doing a changeover. You would normally only hear noise when the wheel is turning but sometimes only when cornering.

The tie-rod end you mention will never make noise even when it goes bad. It will just start having a bit of looseness or "play".

I know it's a pain but closely inspecting the while on the ground or an alignment rack might be the best bet of finding the trouble.

cheshirecat · 05-21-2012, 10:23 AM

I had the same thing. I believe it ended up being the dust shield.

Shamrock · 05-22-2012, 06:34 AM

Hey guys, it's not the dust shield. Checked. I forgot to mention that the car has a front eibach camber package. The camber/caster settings with the package are standard. Nothing extreme. Thanks

Motinatan · 05-23-2012, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamrock

Hey guys, it's not the dust shield. Checked. I forgot to mention that the car has a front eibach camber package. The camber/caster settings with the package are standard. Nothing extreme. Thanks

you forget to mention thet we have the swey bar installed
maybe its an issue

ChrisSlicks · 05-23-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motinatan

you forget to mention thet we have the swey bar installed
maybe its an issue

They sometimes creak over bumps but shouldn't make any noise when sitting still and turning the wheel.

05-21-2012, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shamrock Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Israel Posts: 215 Drives: 370z 2011 AT White Rep Power: 13	Metallic grating on wheel rotation Hi guys, a friend of mine (also a member the370z) here in Israel asked me to post this question. My English is better. His car is lowered with kw coilovers variant 3 and he has developed a strong metallic grating sound when turning the steering wheel at a standstill. The dealership checked the steering rack and it was ok. The don't know whether it is the ball bearings or cv joints. Any ideas? There aren't many z's here. Maybe ten.

05-21-2012, 07:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	If you are at a complete standstill then neither the wheel bearings or CV joints are moving and can't make any noise. I would check closely to make sure there isn't any parts rubbing against each other as a result of the aftermarket shocks and lowering. Sometimes it is as simple as the brake rotor splash guard rubbing against the brake rotor, it sounds horrible but can be fixed in 30 seconds. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

05-21-2012, 09:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	They are also called "dust shields". It is a thin piece of sheet metal that sits behind the brake rotor to keep excess dirt and water off the brakes. They are easily bent out of shape if you bang a wheel against the rotor when doing a changeover. You would normally only hear noise when the wheel is turning but sometimes only when cornering. The tie-rod end you mention will never make noise even when it goes bad. It will just start having a bit of looseness or "play". I know it's a pain but closely inspecting the while on the ground or an alignment rack might be the best bet of finding the trouble. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

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05-21-2012, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shamrock Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Israel Posts: 215 Drives: 370z 2011 AT White Rep Power: 13	This only happens when the car is on the ground not on the lift. What are the rotor splash guards? What about the joint that connects the steering rods to the wheels.

05-21-2012, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	I had the same thing. I believe it ended up being the dust shield.

05-22-2012, 06:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shamrock Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Israel Posts: 215 Drives: 370z 2011 AT White Rep Power: 13	Hey guys, it's not the dust shield. Checked. I forgot to mention that the car has a front eibach camber package. The camber/caster settings with the package are standard. Nothing extreme. Thanks