Noise coming from left front wheel

[EDEZ8]

I was driving at 20 mph on a road near my home when I heard a metallic ping sound then followed by a squealing noise. Long story short, a small rock had lodged itself between the protective plate and the disk. I was able to identify the affected wheel by listening for the squeal noise when rocking the car back and forth. I then jacked up the car verified the affected wheel and spun the tire in the direction as if the car were moving backwards. This process yielded the small rock and the squeal is now gone.

[Norcal]

I've had that many times. It's always resolved itself after a few miles.

[EDEZ8]

I've had that many times. It's always resolved itself after a few miles.

Good to know for next time!

[harvey2]

This happened to me once with embarrassing results. Our local race track was having its annual vintage race meet and during the lunch break, local clubs could join a series of parade laps on the track. I joined in, doing about 15 mph, when a rock lodged next to my front disk and made the most god-awful loud squealing noise. As I passed the stands, everyone was looking around and wondering where that awful noise was coming from. To my advantage, high pitched noises are hard to pinpoint, and I wasn't about to make it obvious that it was my car. I wasn't able to stop and back up enough to dislodge the stone as this would have messed up the parade, (although in retrospect, I could have pulled aside in the back straight and figured it out without disrupting things very much). I kept on and finished the lap, a long 5 minutes or so, much of it in front of spectators, all the while feigning bewilderment as to the source of the screech, along with those in front of and behind me. I felt pretty silly when a moment after pulling into the pits to end the parade, I stopped and backed up a foot or two and the little rock popped out, noise gone.

[thegunguy]

Yep, had that one too. Stay off the dirt tracks, Ed!!!

[EDEZ8]

That protective plate serves as a great amplifier of sound! Thanks for sharing your stories too. If you're still reading this post and wondering what we're talking about, check out the pictures below that show the protective plate (part number 3) and the offending rock/pebble.

[///M Blitz]

Ed, that's some serious supporting evidence.

[EDEZ8]

Ed, that's some serious supporting evidence.

In my line of work the saying goes: "If it isn't documented it didn't happen". I'll bring the pebble with me to Monterey in August to show you in person too...

[Norcal]

What? No micometer in the photo for actual size? Perhaps you should make a display case for it and tour it around the country as a sacred relic?