Hello.
I have a Kia Rio 1.3 Manual(2004 UK Model)
For about a week now, there was some sqealing and some slight clunking while driving on the right front wheel but didnt happen all the time. I just thought it was a bearing starting to go out.
When I went to pick my dad up from work tonight, I was driving home when all of a sudden, the noise got really loud and then slightly juddered to the left.
I pulled over and inspected underneath(Being dark I had to use a torch) and nothing was hanging down, no broken suspension arms, no damaged bushings, nothing.
As I drove off, the noise sounded not like a bearing metal grind, but a metal grind, I could still accelerate and brake but braking has been a bit difficult for the past 2 weeks but I could still brake safely in time. I had the brakes changed in late October with no issues then. The brake light hasn't come on either. The car now has 169300 miles.
Is it a damaged caliper and if so, is it safe to drive? Any help is really appreciated.
Thank you.
I would get it to a mechanic. You never want to play around with brakes or tires as those are what can get you hurt the worst.
I would say it is ok to SLOWLY drive to the mechanic but do not ignore it and do not drive it anywhere else.
Thanks for your answer.
I jacked up the car today and had look underneath. Nothing wrong with the brake or tires.
There was play in the wheel so I'm assuming its a wheel bearing, the noise has now stopped, just making a slight rumble.
I do know that a tiny bit of dirt or water or a tiny chip in the bearing can make the most outrageous noise. So it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.
The loud noise and the veer to the left was probably the wheel bearing seizing and then breaking loose.
No small matter. That slight rumbling is the bearing destroying itself.
Quit goofing around with it before you end up in the ditch.
