Hey guys. I have the service dept at the Lexus dealer stumped. My car makes a grinding noise only while making a left turn. It doesn't matter how hard the wheel is cut, what speed, or whether or not I'm on the gas peddle. They drained the rear dif to see if there was any metal...none. I did some research and others said it may be a wheel bearing but it doesn't occur when going straight. Any of you guys have any idea what it could be? While searching I only came across older cars doing this. Nothing on the ISF.

 

Can you give some more history? Any suspension mods? Grinding coming from the front or rear left?

 

No suspension mods. I have headers and exhaust. The SA said the noise is coming from the right front. They did a full visual inspection on brakes, undercarriage etc and nothing seems out of place or rubbing. It is a 2011 with 33k on the clock.

 

Turn your wheels all the way to the left and inspect the inner liner in the right wheel-well. There aI a section with multiple openings for the intake, it looks like shutters. Doublecheck if any of the plastic pieces is sticking out, if necessary trim it.

 

My first guess would be the wheel bearing, even if it doesn't make noise when going straight. I don't remember the science or reason behind it but there is an explanation as to why it only makes noise on turns. In the past I've had the same problem with there only being noise when turning in one direction, and it's been a wheel bearing each time.

 

What kind of grinding noise are you hearing? Is it metal on metal?
My IS300 had this mysterious which took a few different shops to to figure out, it would happen when turning right. After the wheel bearings checked out fine, changed the caliper just in case it was seizing up some how, and it ended up being the heat shield rubbing.

 

Rossi thanks for the tip. They did check the fender liner and it was ok on both sides. Thanks for letting me know your experience with it Dave. They called to let me know the tech concluded it is a wheel bearing and will be replacing it. Orthodoks, it is def a metal on metal noise. I can feel it in my seat when it occurs. I will update once the bearing is replaced to see if that was the cause. Someone with an Old SC recorded this and it is identical. They did not say if it was ever fixed or not.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...-right-lca.wav

 

Seems like the dealership could of easily diagnosed a wheel bearing by checking the play the wheel had while mounted. Wheel bearings can most definitely make noise only while turning and not going straight. Noise while making a left turn would be a bad right side bearing since that's where the load is being shifted. Was it the passenger front bearing?

 

Yes, he told me they are replacing the front right.

 

Out of curiosity.... what brand headers do you have?

 

Do you have a 15mm wheel spacer in the front? I know mine did that with 245 tires only when you have it turned left.

 

PPE headers. No spacers.

 

CV joint ?

 

They didn't mention that. They are replacing the wheel bearing some time next week

 

I recently installed 245 tires up front and noticed the exact same thing. It's only done it 2 or 3 times and hasn't been every time so I'm starting to wonder if it truly was a rubbing issue but now with this thread I may have to check my wheel bearings.