I have a '01 F250/4X4. Initially, I heard a "metal-to-metal" grinding noise coming from the front left tire area. I thought it was the pad indicator making contact with the rotor, but after swapping the pads nothing changed. Now, I'm thinking maybe the rotor is nicked. I don't know. Would a bad hub assembly/wheel bearing make a grinding noise? And when driving it gets worse--louder. How do you go about troubleshooting a front wheel bearing/hub assembly? Thanks.

 

Does it change pitch when make a high speed/load turn? If the left bearing is bad when taking a right hand corner it should get louder. When taking a left hand turn it should get quieter. I haven't ever experienced brake issues changing depending on which direction you are turning so would help conclude/eliminate bearings as one issue.

 

Actually, I'm going to button it back up here--I have the tires off because I was ready to go get the rotors turned, but then after spinning the hub on the left side it felt a little tighter than the right. I don't know. Could that be a sticking caliper piston? Once I get buttoned up I'll take it for a test drive--and check for the change in pitch upon making a left/right turn...Thanks Monster-4