I have a 2007 s40 with a little over 100k miles. When I am driving, I hear a rubbing/grinding noise that sounds like its coming from the front driver side wheel well. I have changed the CV joint and the noise still exists. I thought it may be the bearing, although, I have taken the wheel off and rotated the hub by hand and cannot hear or feel any friction. Also, when the bearings are bad, they tend to make more noise going around a turn which is not the case with my car. The noise actually is the worst while driving straight at speeds from 40mph and up. Also, Ive noticed that the noise gets worse throughout the day, the more I drive. Any ideas or information would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to avoid taking it to a repair shop, for I can typically fix things myself, however, this noise has me stumped.

thanks.

 

Checked your brakes for a sticking caliper piston / pads contacting the rotor?
Is the rotor possibly warped slightly?

 

The noise is a continuous, repeating grind that increases and decreases frequency at the same rate of speed. The faster I drive, the more frequent the noise occurs. A warped rotor would make perfect sense. I will check both tomorrow and reply.

 

Does the wheel get hot? One of the CV joints get hot? I would try to feel the wheel and CV joints after you drove the car for awhile. A bad bearing will get hot. Also, if it's the rotor then it should also get quite hot from rubbing. I've seen them turn blue and put off enough heat to seriously burn you. Careful. Best if you have an IR thermometer. You can get them at Harbor Freight for fairly cheap.

Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer With Laser Targeting

 

The only way to check the bearing is to take the brake disk off. Then turn the bearing to feel for roughness. With the rotor on it doesn't work unless there is a lot of wear.

But before that, check tire pressure/wear and front geometry. Tires are prone to do noises similar to a worn wheel bearing.

 

I had this annoyance for months - a rubbery rubbing noise from the front right wheel. Swapped wheels left to right... rotors... calipers... hunted... snooped... hung out of windows... ran alongside the car...

I found it.

I'd replaced the axles at some point. I torqued the axle nut a little tighter. Noise gone.

So now I have to check the specs and the calibration on my torque wrench.

That was easy... eventually.