So i'm driving home last nite on the freeway and i take a turn to go off the exit and I hear this light metal grinding sound...similar to what i've experienced with wheel bearings going. So i'm thinking eh it'll just go away - maybe some dirt. But each time I turn to the right, it was doing it. I have an 04 5AT with only 28000 miles on it...A bearing couldnt be going already -- could it??

I did a search but didnt really see anything like a recall on bad bearings...(like our stupid auto-up windows coming back down 1/3 that i need to take in to get fixed - grrr).

My question is since I have chrome 18" aftermarket wheels, should I take these off before taking it in to have inspected?? I dont want them to come back and be like "Oh well since you swapped out to aftermarket, you're responsible" or something stupid like that.

Would somethin like this be covered under warranty? Maybe other suggestions as to what the sound might be??

 

Isn't there a TSB on the wheel bearings? If so, take that in and avoid having to switch your wheels.

 

it's your brakes, check them out

 

do you think its my brakes tho? since it doesnt do it when I brake but only when I turn to the right? I thought of that too...but it doesnt happen when I'm applying the brakes. I'm not familiar tho with the "squeel warning" for the Infiniti's (to tell you when you need brakes) ... Tho i havent had a brake job yet, i know there was a notice sent out that the 5at brakes were quick to wear out...

Yeah it is definitely getting louder, but only when I turn my wheel even so slightly to the right. It seems to be more prone to do that at higher speeds (30+) or so...

Do you still think it could be the brakes??

(BTW...sorry for the ignorance GT-Ron, but what's TSB stand for?)

 

TSB= technical service bulletin

you can tell if it's your brakes just reach your fingers in and feel the rotor, if it's rough or grooved then it's your brakes. it might just be something else rubbing on the rotor, like the shield on the back side.

it could be the wheel bearing also, they can make many different sounds as they tear themselves apart.

take it to the dealer and check it out.

 

hmm that's a good point.. I did check the brake pad itself and it seemed to be just about 1/4 inch...not sure how thick they were when they were new.

Last question is that since I have aftermarket wheels, this shouldnt affect anything rite??? (i.e. void a warranty?)
I do recall that letter sent out by infiniti about brake pads...and how they are covered from 3 years or 36k miles. I'm probably just due for a brake job...but dont want them giving me a hard time about it.

You are probably right tho, as it states in that letter: "When a brake pad requires replacement, it will make a high pitched scraping sound when the vehicle is in motion, whether or not the brake pedal is depressed."

Its wierd though that it only does it when i'm in motion AND the wheel is turned a bit to the right and no other time. That's why my initial thoughts went toward a wheel bearing.