Metal grinding sound from front wheels.

[mirage6976]

MY 98 SL makes metal grinding sound when I try to steer the car to the right, or to the left, at very low speed. Sound seems come from front wheel. Is this due to a power steering pump failure? I would appreciate any advice on this. Car w/ no previous hx of Accident. car drives straight w/ no vibrations on highway. Thanks

[71280SL]

the usual response to this is air in the PS system..on some cars the fix is to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to expel the air while the engine is running.

[crconsulting]

If the car makes noise while it is stationary then it may be your pump (check fluid). but if it makes noise only while the car is moving you may want to check the sheetmetal backing plates behind the brake rotors they're made out of thin sheetmetal and can get bent from repair work (ball joint replacement etc...) or road debris. the tolerences between the rotors and plates is very tight (mine were touching) when I straightened them out the noise went away.

When you say metal grinding noise I interpret this as the same noise as when your brakes go "metal to metal" correct???

[mirage6976]

Thanks for all your advice. grinding (metal touching) noise coming from my car only occurs when I try to turn the wheels at very low speed. its diff noise then when break pad are touching. ( I had this before) and this mostly occur when I try to turn the wheels to the right side. At high speed turning, or upon going straight ( at low and high speed, foward or reverse) I dont hear the sound.

[bwheitman]

Did you ever find out what was wrong with your car? Mine is doing the exact same thing, mostly when I turn right, I have had everything done to this car even bought new wheels. I had the PS fluid changed as well at the dealer. I am going to pull the rotor off this weekend and check the bearings, although there is no play at all in them, I don't think it sounds right, if you put your left foot on the front of the floor while driving and make a right turn it sounds like something is grinding away, and you can even feel it in your foot. Let me know if you find anything out.
96 sl320,
Regards,
Brian