Cars make a wide range of noises to draw your attention to specific problems. Among them, grinding noise is very common and can happen intermittently. Understanding the underlying reasons behind the noise is crucial.
Intermittent grinding noise when driving can be caused by the following reasons.
- Bad wheel bearings
- Worn brake rotors or brake pads
- Loose engine belt
- Faulty transmission
- Loose timing chain
- Bad CV joint
- Worn engine mounts
I will help you identify the root cause behind the grinding noise and provide you with the solutions. Let’s get started.
Intermittent Grinding Noise When Driving: Quick Fix
Here is a list of quick fixes that might come in handy when you face any of the above reasons.
| Reasons | Fixes |
| Bad wheel bearings | Lubricate the bearings or replace them if necessary. |
| Worn brake rotors or brake pads | Check the brake rotors and brake pads for wear. Replace them if completely worn. |
| Loose engine belt | Replace the engine belt and tensioner pulley. |
| Faulty transmission | Check the transmission fluid level and refill it. Replace the transmission if necessary. |
| Loose timing chain | Replace the timing chain. |
| Bad CV joint | Lubricate the CV joint or replace it if necessary. |
| Worn engine mounts | Replace the mounts. |
Car Making Intermittent Grinding Noise When Driving: What Are the Solutions?
See the reasons for intermittent grinding noise in the car when driving in detail and their potential solutions below.
1. Bad Wheel Bearings
Your car wheels have bearings in the center. These bearings have steel balls inside that are lubricated with grease. Due to the lubrication, the wheels can rotate smoothly.
But as the car gets older, the grease may dry out. So, steel balls will face increased friction. And this will cause a grinding noise from the wheels while driving the car.
How to Fix This Problem?
- Removing the wheel bearings is a highly technical and messy task. So, you should take the vehicle to a repair shop.
- Once they remove the bearings and check their lubrication, they might put fresh grease to ensure enough lubrication.
- If the steel balls are already worn, you need to replace the bearing. It might cost about $1,400-$1,500, including parts and labor.
2. Worn Brake Rotors or Brake Pads
Brake pads come in contact with brake rotors when you tap the brake pedal. If the brake pads are old enough or you brake erratically, the pads will wear out. Once the metal part of the pads is exposed, they will touch the brake rotors and create a loud grinding noise when depressing the brake pedal.
If you ignore the noise, brake rotors will start to wear, and there will be circular lines on the rotors. So, you should address this problem as soon as possible.
How to Fix This Problem?
- Check if the problem is caused by brake rotors or brake pads by tapping the brake pedal while driving. If the grinding noise only comes when the brake is pressed, the rotors or brake pads are worn.
- Remove the wheels first. Then, take off the brake calipers. After the brake pads are exposed, check the thickness of the brake pad shims. If the rubber shims are completely worn, replace the brake pads. It will cost about $100-$200.
- If the rotors are also worn, replace them too. Rotor replacement might cost about $500-$600.
3. Loose Engine Belt
Engine belts are responsible for transferring the rotational movement to different components, such as crankshafts. Over time, these belts can wear out and become loose. In such cases, you will hear a grinding noise when driving.
The engine belt can also become loose if the tensioner pulley is loose or damaged. It might also cause the engine belt to dislodge, which will cause loud grinding or whirring noise in the engine.
How to Fix This Problem?
- Checking the engine belt or tensioner pulley is a bit tough for normal users. I suggest taking the car to a repair shop and getting the worn belts or pulleys replaced. It might cost about $100-$200, including parts and labor.
4. Faulty Transmission
The transmission system in your car consists of metal gears and other metal parts. These parts need a lubricant called the transmission fluid. If the transmission fluid level is low, the gears start grinding. So, you will hear the grinding noise.
Another reason behind the grinding noise is worn gears. If you ignore the low transmission fluid problem for a long time, gears will wear out due to excessive friction.
How to Fix This Problem?
- First, you should check the transmission fluid level. Remove the transmission fluid reservoir cap and take the dipstick out. If the oil mark is near the dipstick tip, refill the transmission fluid.
- If the grinding noise doesn’t go away yet, take the car to a repair shop. They will disassemble the transmission and check the gears. You might need a complete transmission rebuild that will cost about $3,000, including parts and labor. So, it’s a serious issue, you see.
5. Loose Timing Chain
The timing chain ensures the camshaft and the crankshaft of the engine work in sync. When the timing chain becomes loose due to wear or a faulty tensioner, you will hear the grinding noise from the engine.
It might severely damage your engine if you don’t fix the problem soon. If the timing chain is dislodged, it will get stuck into other components. And you will have to replace the engine.
How to Fix This Problem?
Take the vehicle to an auto repair shop. Get the timing chain checked for wear. Also, get the tensioner pulley checked. Replace the timing chain or tensioner pulley as required. It might cost about $500, including parts and labor.
6. Bad CV Joint
Modern cars come with CV joints or Constant Velocity joints to keep the car stable. If you drive over rough terrains frequently, the CV joint can get damaged. In that case, it will make grinding noises, especially while turning the vehicle.
CV joints have bearings inside for vertical movement. The joints can go out of lubrication over time. There can also be leaks in the CV joint that will reduce the lubrication. As a result, the bearings will face friction and create a grinding noise.
How to Fix This Problem?
- Check if the grinding noise comes while turning the vehicle, especially at low speeds. If so, the problem is associated with the CV joints.
- Remove the wheels from the axles and then take the CV joints out. Check if the bearings are lubricated properly. If not, apply some fresh grease to the bearings.
- If the bearings are worn, get them replaced by an experienced mechanic. It will cost about $600, including parts and labor.
7. Worn Engine Mounts
Sometimes, the engine mounts can get worn as the vehicle ages. When you start the car and drive at a low speed, the vibration caused by the engine will make the mounts unstable. As a result, you will hear the grinding noise when driving the car.
How to Fix This Problem?
- Removing the engine block from the mounts is necessary. So, you should take the vehicle to a repair shop because they have hoists.
- Get all the mounts checked and replace worn mounts if there are any. It will cost about $200-$300, including parts and labor.
FAQs
You might find these answers to some commonly asked questions helpful if your car is making grinding noises.
Q: Can I drive a car with intermittent grinding noise?
Intermittent grinding noises are indications that your transmission, brakes, wheel bearings, etc., can be faulty. So, you shouldn’t drive for a long time with the noise.
Q: Will grinding noise affect the braking performance?
Yes, if the grinding noise is related to the brakes. If you hear grinding noises while braking, the brake pads or rotors might be worn or damaged. So, you won’t get the desired braking performance from the car.
Q: Does intermittent grinding noise go away at high speeds?
Not always. Some grinding noises are more intense during low speeds, such as engine mount noise. But others will remain even at higher speeds.
Final Words
Intermittent grinding noise when driving is always a red flag. Even if the noises come and go away, you shouldn’t continue driving the car without inspecting the cause.
To help you, I mentioned the most common causes and their solutions. You should try to identify the source of the grinding noise and take necessary actions to eliminate the noise. Make sure there is no unusual noise from your car while driving.