Front End Noise

[jbear]

Hi All,
I just found this forum and it looks very interesting, and hopefully you all have some ideas for me.
Here's my issue as best as I can describe it:
Vehicle is a 1999 Legacy Outback AWD

• Noise is emanating from left front wheel/tire area at low speed.
• Varies from a "thump" to "scrunch" or scrape. Twice it may have "whined" but that sound seems rare.
• Stops (or becomes inaudible) above 15-20 mph.
• Stops when brakes are applied with any force.
• Frequency increases with vehicle speed.
• Turning seems to have no observable effect on the occurrence or nature of the sound.
• No effect on driving or performance at any speed.
• No vibration transferred through the steering wheel.
• Tires recently rotated (w/in last month). At that time 7-8mm left on brakes.

So...what do you think? I'm going to get it to the shop this week, but I'd like to have an idea of what to expect.
Thanks so much in advance for any responses!

[1997 oregon outback]

first check to see if something is rubbing like the brake backing plate or such. feel your hub at the center of the wheel after driving 10-15 miles or so preferably on the highway to see if it's hot. being a '99, if your mileage is up in the late 100's...could be the start of a wheel bearing going bad.

[jbear]

Thanks for the reply! I'm just shy of 100K (99 and change).

[Glennda5id]

Could be a stuck caliper that is causing the brake pad to rub. Take the wheel off and inspect the pads, rotors and caliper slide pins.

[1997 oregon outback]

Originally Posted by jbear

Thanks for the reply! I'm just shy of 100K (99 and change).

might not be a bearing then jbear. 100k isn't all that much for todays bearings. i got almost 192k on my '97's wheel bearings. i've replaced 'em on other rigs of similiar vintage in the low to mid 100's though. good luck.

[jbear]

Hey All,
Thanks for all of the replies. Turned out to be that during the tire rotation (about a month ago), the wheel wasn't put back on precisely as it should have been and it developed some play. Luckily no damage...and no charge.