What Causes the Rubbing Sound While Driving a Car?
2 Answers
When a car produces a rubbing sound while driving, the possible causes may include the following: 1. Body noise: Insufficient body stiffness can cause deformation during driving, leading to friction or vibration between the door and the frame, or direct friction between steel plates due to partial welding failure. 2. Tire noise: This is often caused by deformed, bulged, severely worn tires, or insufficient tire pressure. 3. Engine guard noise: Screws may shift on a moving vehicle. 4. Suspension noise: This is usually due to shock absorber issues or loose suspension components.
As a seasoned driver with decades of experience driving various models, I've encountered quite a few instances of scraping sounds. The most common cause is excessively worn brake pads rubbing directly against the brake discs, producing squeaking noises, especially noticeable during turns or sudden braking. Alternatively, small stones or nails might be stuck in the tires, causing a scraping sound as the wheels rotate—simply stopping and checking the tire grooves can reveal this. Another possibility is a damaged wheel bearing, where the noise increases with speed, producing a scary humming sound. I once experienced this on a long-distance trip, and it nearly caused an accident. My advice is to pull over immediately upon hearing any unusual sounds, first checking the tires for foreign objects. If nothing is found, head straight to a repair shop without delay to prevent potential brake failures. Make it a habit to have these areas thoroughly inspected during every 5,000-kilometer maintenance—safe driving is paramount.
