[Lmw28if]

Hi. I have a 2019 Malibu LT just short of 100k miles. When I'm driving I can hear a kind of metallic rubbing/squeaking sound coming from the right front side of my car. It sometimes goes away when I steer slightly to the left. It definitely is only coming from the right side as I cannot hear it when I open my driver side window. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Steve

 

[JTR19]

The first guess would be that your brake pads are reaching the end of their useful life. Most automotive brake pads have a "wear indicator" that is a metal tab that will start rubbing on the rotor when the pad material is worn to a certain amount.

Any mechanic that would check your brake pads would likely take a look at these tabs first to see if they are in contact with the rotor. It is probably time for new brakes.

 

[repairman54]

2x brake inspection and hub bearing needs to be checked.

 

[Lmw28if]

Thanks for the insight.
So even when it's happening while I'm driving and not braking and steering slightly to the left where the sounds stops, it could still be the brakes?
Thanks

 

[campb292]

Thanks for the insight.
So even when it's happening while I'm driving and not braking and steering slightly to the left where the sounds stops, it could still be the brakes?
Thanks

It could be but could also be a bearing. When my front brake pads wore out at 130k (rears went first at 115k) I only heard the scraping on the right side when turning right or holding near straight. Mine wasn't so much a little bird chip squeak like I have heard on many cars, it was more of a metal grinding/scraping. I did change the pads and rotors since they lasted so long.

 

[JTR19]

If the noise stops when you apply the brakes, then I can say with a high degree of confidence that the brake pads are worn and the wear tabs are rubbing on the rotors. When you apply the brakes and the pads apply force to the rotor, the wear tab noise stops. As I said before, get the brakes checked at a reputable shop.

 

[repairman54]

2x The pads can be worn just enough so the wear sensor contacts the rotor when wheel is turned but not worn enough yet to make constant contact. Brakes applied dampens or stops the wear sensor from vibrating.

 

[Lmw28if]

Thanks to you all for your responses. I'll get them checked. Hesitate going to dealer as they seem to be the most expensive but will find someplace.
Thanks again

 

[Hoytman86]

Wheel bearing. Thats why the sound goes away when turning. Its shifting the weight off of that wheel