Rear wheel scratching noise - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Check the backing plate for the brakes. Really not hard to knock them out of place. Use a screwdriver to bend it away from the rotor.

You need the have the wheel bearing in that wheel checked

Check rear brakes and that also means the emergency brake shoes that are located under the rear brake disk . and also check the rear shocks

Does the noise quit when you use the brakes? check the rear brakes.....

lift the rear axle off the ground and spin the wheels around as fast as you can. if the bearings are bad you will hear it if the sound changes as it spins. If it a scratching noise that will be from the disc brake pads

Hello, this would be an easy thing to diagnose. All you need to do is jack up the front of the car, so that you can turn the wheel and listen to it while you wiggle and turn it manually. You're also checking for any wobble and wear in the front end parts at the same time. Next, remove the wheel and inspect the rotor for any scratching to the shiny surface, which could determine where the problem is. If no problem there, rotate rotor and listen for the scratching sound and you will see where its coming from by looking at the brake pads which are visible when the wheel is off.

The rear brakes should last from 30000 to 60000 miles or 50000 to 100000 kms. So something is wearing out your brakes too fast. Are you doing the work or some shop. I also assume you have discs and not drums since you mention pads and calipers. I am not certain but usually you need a tool to turn the pistion in when putting in new pads. I would make sure the pads are releasing properly by raising rear of car, stepping on brakes a few times (with engine off and try see if wheels are free by spinning by hand, also try to use handbrake a few times and release it and see if wheels spin freely. Maybe rears always applied. Notice burning smell, are discs glazed from heat? Are you using really cheap pads. Also check the proportioning valve which will decrease pressure to rear brakes during hard braking. Do you notice rear wheels squeling during hard braking. Do you have antilock brake system? Also are you using good quality pads and rotors.

Hi

Sounds more a rear wheel bearing problem ?

Check for excessive play, and noise from both rear wheel bearings and hubs, with the vehicle jacked up and supported safely.

Good Luck !

A FixYa rating would be nice...Thanks... John.

I had a somewhat similar problem: I would hear scratching noise from the rear of the car whenerver I turn. I (reasonably) thought it was the differential and brought the car to the mechanic with this in mind. But it turned out to be a protective cover of one of the rear breaking discs that was bent by an impact. When I was turning the wheel would very slightly bend off the axis and the disc would scratch against the cover. So, it's not always the differential. BTW: I have Forester '03

Common causes for High-pitched noise from rear wheels are:

The wheel bearing: this is not usually dangerous in the short term, but I recommend contacting a mechanic and having it fixed. To test the wheel bearing, you lock front wheels, and jack up the car rear and spin the wheel (handbrake unlocked). If bearing is worn you hear a drone. When is the bearing, often car starts vibration above 40 mph.
Noise from bearing can be continuous, intermittent, only when steering, only when hot.

The brake pads: when brake pads are worn out they start making a squealing noise, in this case the noise is only when you brake or continuous. When you jack up the car the wheel may be a little stiff, but not necessarily.When brake pads are completely gone you also hear a scratching noise when braking. Inspect your brakes immediately.

Other suspension problems: Jack up the car as suggested above, check if the wheel has a slight play on the sides. Check all of the suspension components, suspension mounting points, and steering linkage for damage. Also, check the frame rail for wrinkles. It is very important that these components be in good condition, if you notice any problem here, go immediately to a mechanic.

Try doing the simple test above, reinstalling the wheel and working the tire back and forth. This is a common test for bad ball joints and wheel bearings.