The left front wheel makes a metal grinding noise when turning right at a slow speed

CTS-V, Stock wheels & tires
Left front, metal grinding noise when turning right at slow speed.
Starts at about 1/2 wheel turn and gets louder at full lock.
Going straight & left turns, no noise.
Seems to start after driving for awhile (aka: after the bearing heats up).

My car has 65000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there – based on the symptoms you describe, I believe your left front wheel bearing is shot. I would recommend having the wheel bearing/hub assembly replaced by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, and repair this problem.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Most of the time, if you hear scraping and grinding, it can be attributed to one of two main issues: Worn-out brake linings. Worn-out wheel/hub bearings.
A common cause of grinding noises under your car are failing wheel or hub bearings. Wheel bearings allow the wheel and tire to rotate and are designed for low friction, while hub assemblies have an additional responsibility of securing the wheel and tire to the vehicle.
You might notice a grinding noise when driving at low speeds. The most common causes are problems with your continual velocity joints, brake pads, wheel bearings or alternator. Examining each one of these parts can help you pinpoint exactly where the issue is.
If you are getting a grinding noise from the front wheels when driving then the most common cause is the brakes are worn causing the brake pads backing plate rubbing on the rotor metal to metal. Have you brakes inspected to see if just the one side is worn down indicating the caliper is sticking.
If you notice your car making a grinding sound when it accelerates, your issue is likely to do with your transmission, a problem with your differential, a bad wheel bearing, a damaged CV joint, or a worn engine/motor mount.
The metal-on-metal grinding noise you hear is the steel part of the brake pad grinding against the brake rotor, and it`s not good. You need to get a brake pad replacement immediate when they are shot before they also destroy your rotors or brake calipers, which can be a very expensive repair.
This is a common sign of a bad or worn wheel bearing. When wheel bearings wear out or become damaged due to dirt or debris or lack of proper amount of grease, they can make a rubbing, grinding or vibrating sound. This may also be related to other front suspension components as well.
Scraping or grinding noises you hear while driving or turning can be caused by the following issues: Worn or failing brake parts: Unevenly worn or rusted rotors or worn or thin brake pads. Worn dust shield that`s moved closer and contacting the brake rotor. Loose, worn, damaged, or failing wheel bearings.
A worn wheel bearing can cause a howling noise. If you`re also hearing a rumbling noise when turning, then it`s likely a bad wheel bearing. You may also trace this noise to a loose pinion-bearing preload. It`s likely the case when you only hear the noise when decelerating.
Metals tend to be highly sonorous, and they will make a clearly audible sound when they are hit with something like a hammer or mallet. This is because metals have a sea of delocalized electrons which can propagate the incoming kinetic energy as an outward moving sound wave.
Rattling noises when accelerating your car can be caused by many things, including worn-out suspension components, a broken or loose heat shield, bad motor mounts, low transmission fluid, and faulty engine components.
A tapping or metallic rubbing sound can indicate metal to metal contact, either due to low engine oil or a calibration issue. This is vital to have looked at right away as well. If you hear a high pitched squeal while braking, chances are you need a brake pad replacement.
One possible cause is debris or dirt stuck in the brakes, which can create friction and lead to a grinding noise. Another potential reason is a misalignment of the brake calipers, causing them to rub against the rotor instead of smoothly pressing against it.
Worn Ball Joints

Ball joints enable the movement of the suspension control arms and steering knuckles. To move smoothly, it`s crucial that these joints remain lubricated at all times. If they become dry, they may start making squeaking or crunching noises when you turn the steering wheel at low speeds.

Many issues with your car will cause a grating or whirring noise, but a bent tire rim will make a unique thumping sound. It will be rhythmic and thud at a consistent beat. This makes sense when you consider that the bent part of your tire will make contact with the road consistently as long as you`re driving smoothly.
This unpleasant sound is generally referred to as brake scrubbing, and it lets you know that it`s time to replace the pads. If you ignore this audible warning, the brake pads will wear down completely, and that squealing sound can turn into a grinding noise.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

The left front wheel makes a metal grinding noise when turning right at a slow speed – 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
ANSWER : Hi there – based on the symptoms you describe, I believe your left front wheel bearing is shot. I would recommend having the wheel bearing/hub assembly replaced by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, and repair this problem.

grinding noise while turning right or driving straight
ANSWER : Hello. If the noise is still there when the engine is off and if you are not turning the wheel, then it is typically either a failing bearing in the rear differential or it can be a failure in the transfer case if it is four wheel drive.

The transfer case is a very common failure on this vehicle. If it is two wheel drive then I typically start by draining the oil from the rear differential and inspecting the fluid for metal.

Any metal in the fluid indicates a bearing failure. If that is also fine, then it may be an issue within the transmission. It may be a failure in one of the thrust bearings. If you need to get this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your car’s grinding noise.

Very Loud Knocking noise from left rear wheel when turning left and braking
ANSWER : The problem could be in the transfer case unit, but the device is mounted closer to the driver than the rear wheel so the noises or vibrations are generally a little more obvious. Especially during sharp turns the transfer case and rear end assemblies are working pretty hard with the wheels turning at different rates. I suggest hiring one of our mobile experts to diagnose the noise you’re hearing. Wheel bearings and worn out suspension components like sway bar links cause similar noises.

steering wheel turned to the far right and locked in place while the wheel are straight. and I can’t turn the key.
ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you have provided, concerning your vehicle’s steering wheel is locked far right and key won’t turn with the front wheels in a forward default position, is somewhat confusing to me. It could be, undo pressure is being applied to the steering wheel lock. You could try, physically moving the left front tire side to side in either direction, to relieve the pressure on the steering wheel lock. It could be, the key you are using has a problem, try another key if available. It could be, the ignition lock cylinder is at fault. I recommend having your vehicle’s can’t turn the key be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

Steering to the right or left makes a noise.
ANSWER : I believer the cause of your noise is your power steering pump or belt. If your pump is making a loud whining noise then you may have a power steering leak and the pump is starving for fluid. Check the power steering to see if it is low on fluid and if it is then a leak is present. Have the system checked to see if you have a leak and then do a complete inspection of the front end.

Steering wheel gets stuck left, grinding noise – 2004 Dodge Ram 2500
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like the steering gear box and/or the power steering pump is going bad. The steering gear box is what is allowing the wheels to turn left and right when using the steering wheel. There are gears and other moving parts in the gear box that can get binded up or get stuck. The power steering pump also has internal parts that wear out and may make steering difficult. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the steering system and make the necessary repairs.

I have a Dodge Ram and I ran a mailbox over on my right side. When I turn left and right there’s a grinding noise on the right.
ANSWER : After running over the mailbox, the box or stem could have bent the backing plate and is now causing the grinding noise as the backing plate is scraping against the brake rotor on the right side. Inspect your brake system and see what is causing the grinding noise. If you need further assistance with the grinding noise, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Grinding noise on the right front wheel when turning right/going straight accelerating at low speed.
ANSWER : Hi there. At first glance, I would assume the grinding noise is caused by a damaged wheel bearing. When the wheel bearing is starting to fail, it looses lubricity; which causes metal-to-metal contact and a grinding noise is often the symptom. It’s also possible that the rotor is warped and causing contact on the brake caliper. Have your mechanic complete a wheel bearing inspection first to see if this is the cause of your grinding noise, as this is rather common with Ford Focus’.