Grinding Noise On Standing Start

[Call me Ishmael]

Hi Folks,

I've got an '04 Avensis D4D. This evening it made a grinding noise when my wife was moving off from a road junction. It sounded to be coming from underneath. It sounded like the exhaust was dragging on the road, but no sound of a broken exhaust. We stopped immediately and had a look, but nothing was hanging down. Moved off again and the noise started again, but after a couple of seconds the noise stopped abruptly.

The car drives perfectly and has covered about 5 miles without further incident. I even took it to an empty car park and tried stopping and starting, driving in circles on full lock both ways, but heard nothing untoward. Any ideas as to what could have happened?

[peanutome]

Hi Folks,

I've got an '04 Avensis D4D. This evening it made a grinding noise when my wife was moving off from a road junction. It sounded to be coming from underneath. It sounded like the exhaust was dragging on the road, but no sound of a broken exhaust. We stopped immediately and had a look, but nothing was hanging down. Moved off again and the noise started again, but after a couple of seconds the noise stopped abruptly.

The car drives perfectly and has covered about 5 miles without further incident. I even took it to an empty car park and tried stopping and starting, driving in circles on full lock both ways, but heard nothing untoward. Any ideas as to what could have happened?

Could have been the rear brakes binding slightly causing them to rub. Not un-common on any car especially if the car has stood for a while, calipers and cables all get sticky after time!

David

[Leeky]

I agree, i'd put my money on it being the brakes.

[Call me Ishmael]

Hi Folks,

I've got an '04 Avensis D4D. This evening it made a grinding noise when my wife was moving off from a road junction. It sounded to be coming from underneath. It sounded like the exhaust was dragging on the road, but no sound of a broken exhaust. We stopped immediately and had a look, but nothing was hanging down. Moved off again and the noise started again, but after a couple of seconds the noise stopped abruptly.

The car drives perfectly and has covered about 5 miles without further incident. I even took it to an empty car park and tried stopping and starting, driving in circles on full lock both ways, but heard nothing untoward. Any ideas as to what could have happened?

Could have been the rear brakes binding slightly causing them to rub. Not un-common on any car especially if the car has stood for a while, calipers and cables all get sticky after time!

David

Possibly, but the car's been in use every day (my better half's a district nurse). She's taken the car to work today and I've told her to ring me if anything happens.

[Call me Ishmael]

Hi Folks,

I've got an '04 Avensis D4D. This evening it made a grinding noise when my wife was moving off from a road junction. It sounded to be coming from underneath. It sounded like the exhaust was dragging on the road, but no sound of a broken exhaust. We stopped immediately and had a look, but nothing was hanging down. Moved off again and the noise started again, but after a couple of seconds the noise stopped abruptly.

The car drives perfectly and has covered about 5 miles without further incident. I even took it to an empty car park and tried stopping and starting, driving in circles on full lock both ways, but heard nothing untoward. Any ideas as to what could have happened?

Could have been the rear brakes binding slightly causing them to rub. Not un-common on any car especially if the car has stood for a while, calipers and cables all get sticky after time!

David

I've checked the brakes. What I think had happened was that a small stone got between the brake disc and the light metal backplate. The grinding was the stone being dragged around the plate as the disc turned, before falling out. I was able to replicate the sound by hand with a small stone. A major relief! Thanks for your advice guys.