Mr Fish Tank

I have a 04 C4S, last night I was driving when I passed thru some depression on the road (those constructions imperfections and bumps) and I heard a snap (front left wheel – like those when the spring sits in place) then I heard a loud scraping noise, as if I was dragging a plastic bottle under the car. I stopped right away, checked all 4 wheels (no flat tires) checked under. Nothing was there. The noise was loud and it seemed to be coming from the left wheel. Started driving the car the scraping noise was less intense. Turned the steering wheel left (no noise) turned it to the right the scraping noise got intense. Pulled over to a shop nearby, lifted the car up everything was in place, no damages, no scrap marks, nothing abnormal. Drove the car home noise disappeared.

This morning, driving the car to work, on straight line no noise at any speed. The car seemed to be fine. When going to the underground parking, going down the ramp, I had to make a right turn (left front wheel receives all the weight and right wheel has less strength) at that moment I heard the scraping noise again (something like my tire rubbing against the plastic cover). I checked again all clearances seemed to be fine.

I took it put for a spin, there is a “S” section close to the office. I was about 40 Km/h, first leg of the “S” is a left turn (no noise) second leg is a right turn (noise was there – similar to tire touching the plastic cover).

Has anyone had this experience? What maybe is causing this noise? Only happens “turning right”.

jumper5836

I'd get in on a lift to take a look, or jacked up and take the wheel off. Could be a snapped tie rod, could be some piece of debris that flew up put a whole through the liner and is wedged up in there.

Mr Fish Tank

I did go to a shop, lift the car up, removed the wheel off. Everything seemed to be in place, no scrap marks, no leaks, no apparent damages, no debris in the rotors, in the back of the rotors cover, nothing that could point to a problem.

The gap between the tire and the plastic cover is about 1". My opinion: when you turn right you put weight on the left wheel, what lowers the car, and then the scraping noise "should" appear, but no marks whatsoever. The noise is there but from where?

993GT

sounds like a broken/loose inner fender liner or brake duct
Have you checked the wheel bearing for play/centre nut tor tightness?
Also look at the upper strut mount to make sure it has not broken
When you have the wheels off again take plenty of pictures if the issue isn't resolved

Mr Fish Tank

Thanks, I will check those.

Also, just to add, both sides are pretty much even. Same gap distance on both sides 1".

993GT

NP!
Even thought he static gap looks good, ensure the whole liner is well secured , I'm betting the brake duct on control arm is loose or shifted.
Cheers,
Rob

Mr Fish Tank

If the brake duct is loose or shifted, wouldnt it make noise at bumps or road depression?
On straight line i didnt hear a noise. the worse noise appears going down the garage ramp, and cornering right, first wheel to touch the garage floor is left (making a right turn) then the noise gets strong

993GT

It is very light plastic so there is a chance you wouldn't hear it 'rattle' if loose, could also be its wedged in a weird postion so n rattle but will scrape..??
reason I think it is it, is the ducts are very low and get scraped easily, hard hit in the cold...if loose or twisted, could be touching the tire...
But other ideas are very real possibilities as well

Mr Fish Tank

Thanks Rob, just trying to "imagine" all possible situations. I will get it "fixed" or whatever need to be done tomorrow. I took the day off.

Turbodan

could be ice jammed in there somewhere. Friend had similar with his Mini Cooper S and it went away after about 50 km or so.

donuts

+1 for brake duct

Jonathon Rolstin

Should be easy to find if mechanic knows what they're doing. Sounds like a plastic piece broke, likely a brake duct or wheel liner. Turn the wheel to the right and look at what its hitting...

Mr Fish Tank

So far what i could see is the ice and snow deformed the cover shield.

Mr Fish Tank

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Mr Fish Tank

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