Car Making Grinding Noise? Do A Step By Step Diagnosis

*Updated May 2022*

 

Image by Kevin P from Pixabay

Car making grinding noise? Follow these steps

 

car making grinding noise?

Is your car making a grinding noise? Are you uncertain about what is causing it? It is important to determine the cause of the grinding noise. Here are some simple steps that even someone with little or no automotive experience can follow in order to diagnose the problem.

Once you figure out what is causing the problem, you can be better informed and feel more confident when you take it to an automotive specialist for repair.

Step 1: Start Your Vehicle

Once you start your vehicle, listen to see if the grinding sound starts right away or if it begins any time while the engine is running.

If you don't hear the grinding, then go to Step 5. If you hear the grinding sound, the go to Step 2.

 

Image by Mikes-Photography from Pixabay

Car making grinding noise? Start the engne

Step 2: Lift The Hood And Locate The Alternator, Water Pump, and Power Steering Pump

You need to figure out where in the engine the grinding noise is coming from. If you are not familiar with the different parts of your engine, then look at your owner's manual or look online for a diagram of the parts of your engine.

Figure out how to recognize

  • Alternator: Your alternator converts the mechanical energy produced by your engine into electricity which will charge your vehicle's battery and other accessories that use electricity such as your lights and radio.

  • Water pump: Your water pump is one of the parts of your vehicle's cooling system. Its job is to help keep your car from overheating. It does this by circulating coolant from your radiator to your engine block.

  • Power steering pump: The job of your power steering pump is to pressurize the hydraulic fluid in your power steering system. This helps you easily turn your steering wheel.

 

Image by: Scotty Kilmer

Become familiar with the different parts of your engine. Pictured above is the alternator

Step 3: Listen To The Alternator With A Piece Of Hose

Once you know what each of these parts looks like, listen to each one to see if the noise is coming from it.

According to ItStillRuns.com, a great trick for listening to each separate part is to take a piece of a rubber hose and place one end on the alternator and hold the other end up to your ear. The hose will help you determine if the problem is with the alternator.

If you hear the sound coming from the alternator, then it will likely need to be repaired or replaced.

 

Grinding Alternator Sound

Here is the grinding sound that a bad alternator bearing will make.

This video lets you hear what a grinding noise from an alternator sounds like

Step 4: Listen To The Water Pump And Power Steering Pump

If the grinding noise was not coming from the alternator, repeat Step 3.

However, this time listen to the water pump and the power steering pump.

If the grinding noise comes from either of these parts, then they may need to be repaired or replaced.

 

Bad Water Pump Sound

Here is the sound that a bad water pump will make.

Listen to the sound of a bad water pump

 

Bad Power Steering Pump Sound

Here is the sound that a bad power steering pump will make. If you don't want to watch the entire video, skip ahead to the one-minute (1:00) mark to hear the sound of a bad power steering pump.

Listen to the sound of a bad power steering pump

Step 5:  Drive The Vehicle And Test The Brakes

While you are driving, gently touch the brakes. If you hear grinding noises when driving and braking, try braking a little harder. If the sound gets worse, then you may have worn out brake pads.

Stop the vehicle and take a look at your brake pads. If you are not sure where to look, consult your owner's manual. If the pads are a quarter of an inch thick or less, then they probably need to be replaced.

Other potential brake issues include:

Note: Don’t settle for the cheapest brake pads you can find. You run the risk of failure and collision. You will save money in the long run by choosing a reputable brand for your brake pads. Some of the best brake pad brands include Akebono, Stoptech, Wagner, EBC, Powerstop, and AC Delco.

 

This video lets you hear what a grinding noise coming from the brakes sounds like

Step 6: Drive The Vehicle And Make A Right And Left Turn

Start driving your vehicle and make a right-hand turn and then make a left-hand turn. If the grinding noise gets worse when you turn in one direction and then gets better when you turn in the opposite direction, then the problem is most likely a wheel bearing.

Wheel bearings are vitally important to your safety and should not be ignored. Make sure you take your vehicle to a reliable mechanic as soon as possible to get it repaired.

If you hear a grinding noise when driving straight, this raises other questions seeing as it’s likely not a bearing or a joint. It could be anything from pebbles stuck in the brakes to a failing alternator.

Do not ignore a grinding noise when driving straight. Remaining on the course will cost you down the road.

 

Bad Wheel Bearing Sound

The following video will give you an idea of the sound that a bad wheel bearing makes. If you don't want to watch the whole video, jump to the 54-second (0:54) mark to hear the sound.

Listen to what a bad wheel bearing sounds like

Step 7: Drive The Vehicle And Listen Carefully As You Change Gears

If you hear a grinding noise while your car is changing gears, then the clutch could be getting worn out or it may need to be adjusted.

It also could mean that there is a problem with your transmission. Don't take chances with either of these issues.

If you suspect that it is your clutch or transmission, then you need to have these checked out by a professional.

 

If your transmission is failing, get it checked out

Step 8: Check for a Grinding Noise When Driving At Low Speeds

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.

We have already addressed some of these issues above, but let’s discuss the possibility of a continual velocity (CV) joint issue if you hear a grinding noise when driving at low speeds, especially if it’s coming from the front of your car.

The CV joint is what allows the front wheels to get power and turn properly, so if you hear the grinding noise when driving at low speeds - and especially when making turns - your CV joint may be worn out.

If the issue does not become apparent following these checks, take your car to get checked out as soon as possible.

 

If your CV joint fails, you won’t be able to move your car - so get it checked out sooner than later

 

Trust Hansma to fix your car

You can trust Hansma to solve your car's grinding noise problem quickly and at a reasonable cost.

The friendly staff at Hansma pride themselves on providing their customers with the best possible service.

We are proud to live and serve the Kitchener-Waterloo community. Over our more than 30 years in business, we have earned a reputation for hard work, honesty, and integrity.

Contact us today and find out for yourself what sets Hansma apart from our competition.

 
 

"Great people! Hansma Automotive have been taking care of my vehicles for four years now. They are friendly and professional, and will take the time to talk cars, even if you don't have an immediate problem for them to fix. They have given good counsel when I have pondered whether to make one more repair or buy another vehicle. They are very well respected in the community."

- Dennis
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