Why is my car making a scraping noise?
Asked by Kort Jun 21, 2015 at 10:13 AM about the 2003 Dodge Neon
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My car just recently started making a
scraping noise that sounds like it's coming
from the passenger rear wheel. It only
makes the sound at lower speeds. For
example, as soon as I get past about
50mph the sound goes away. It also goes
away when I apply the brakes. I noticed that
the scraping got a little louder when I went
around a sharp curve in the road going
45mph. I don't know if this means that there
is a rock stuck in my brakes or if it means
the shoes need to be replaced or if it's
possibly a wheel bearing needing replaced.
Also, is it safe to drive for a day or two
before getting it fixed?
6 Answers
I'm no mechanic, but when my car made that sound, I was told it was the rotors. I also drove it for several more days until I got paid and could get it fixed. It all depends on how worn they are though. My weren't that bad.
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
Your brake pads need to be replaced the scrapping noise you hear is the wear indicator on the brake pads scrapping on the rotor or rotors warning you the brake pads are getting low.
How come the sounds goes away when I apply the brake? Wouldn't the sound still be there or even get louder?
By appling the brake,you are making it tight and it may quiteing down a little,and are loose and bouncing around when brakes are not applied.
firebird338 answered 9 years ago
That is because when brakes are applied the wear indicator is being pushed into rotor the indicator is a thin peice of metal on brake pads that only makes that scrapping noise when the indicator is lightly touching the rotor. To answer your question I have seen it happen both ways It all depends on how close the the wear indicator is to touching the rotor.
