Toyota Corolla 2002

I went on vacation for two weeks (car sat in driving for the duration). After I came back I noticed that every time I make a right turn I hear this grinding noise. The noise seems to be consistent with the speed (i.e. if my speed is fast then the grinding noise is fast). I thought that it might be due to the car just sitting there for a while and that it would go away with regular driving but in fact the noise seems to have gotten worse. As a side fact, during the two weeks that the car was parked it rained quite a bit.

Any suggestions or ideas on what to look for?

Casey

shunned

Don't drive this car until you take a look or have a mechanic check it. It could be your brake caliper is loose or a wheel bearing.

fredg

HI,
Your previous answer is good.
It could also be a wheel bearing, or a wheel ball and socket joint, or the steering arm ball and socket.
I would have it checked out by a mechanic to solve it.
Best wishes.

cajalat

Let me provide some more information in order to narrow the possibilities.

- The noise distinctly comes from the left rear side.
- The noise doesn't happen when I seem to be going faster than 30 mph (i.e. entering a highway on-ramp that curves right)
- The noise seems to only happen when I make a right turn (city streets) with speeds in the 5 mph to 15 mph.
- The noise is consistent with the speed (i.e. at 5mph it is slower grinding than when going at 15 mph while making a right turn)
- No noise whatsoever when making left turns
- No noise whatsoever when going straight

- Had a complete break job done about 1 year ago and the car is 2002 (bought it brand new and I'm the only driver).

Is there anything I can look for or do that would help me narrow the problem down? Any suggestions welcome.

Casey

tiborgh

I guess in more than a year from the original post the problem was solved, but I will still answer just for the record.

Having the same car/model and model year, I experienced the exact same problem two years ago and after a trip to the dealership and $50 later the problem was solved. I suspected ball bearings (which would have been covered by warranty), but they claimed it was rust built up on the rear drum and just a simple scaling was all they had to do.

In the last month I have experienced those simptoms again and this time I decided to check the drum myself and try to scale it. Sure thing it was well rusted and after removing the rust that came in contact with the non-moving parts, the noise dissapeared. It looks like this is a problem affecting some 2002 Corollas.

Hope this helped.

cajalat

Turned out to be shoddy work by the original repair shop. Took it to a professional brake repair shop and they re-did the brakes. Been great ever since.