Hi Guys,

Having a problem with my 2002 KJ FWD Verada that I'd appreciate any opinions/advice about.

When braking reasonably hard, the front right wheel is making a grinding/vibrating sound. This almost always happens while making sharp left turns, though occasionally when braking in a straight line. The sound only lasts while the brakes are applied. When this happens I am also experiencing steering wheel shudder.

Video: https://vid.me/v66I

Brake pads are due for replacement soon, but not totally gone, having approximately 30% wear left.

Is this definitely brake related or could it be wheel bearing/CV joint? Maybe something else?

Visual brake pad inspection can be misleading. They may be 30% at one end but 0% at the other. Or one side can be much worse than the other.

Or, you have non-stock wheels and the caliper is rubbing on the inside of the rim.

Hmm. I should have listened to the video first....

Check that all caliper, disc bolts etc are tight.

FWIW, I had a grinding noise from the rear brakes recently and couldn't see the cause from a visual inspection.

I decided to change the rear brake pads anyway only to discover that one of the inside pads was completely worn down to the metal, but all of the others had plenty of pad left.

One of the slide pins had seized and resulted one of the pads was doing all of the work on that wheel, wearing it down quickly.

Thanks for the suggestions guys :)

I've inspected both sides of the rotor and can't see any scratches on the surface. I made sure the metal dust shield wasn't making contact with the rotor. Factory wheels, and no sign of the caliper making contact with the rim.

If it was the pads wouldn't there be some kind of noise/vibration during light or medium braking? This only happens when I really press the brake pedal hard.

What is the state of the discs like and pads? Are the pads glazed?

Check the CV joints, I've recently had to replace mine, it made a similar sound and only when slowing down or coasting. Inner joint was ripped open, outer joint had a ring of oil around it.

Just wanted to update: Took the car in to a brake specialist and they recommended having all 4 rotors machined, since they weren't done last time the pads were changed. After machining all rotors the noise/vibration is completely gone. Cost was $310 including brake fluid flush/replace.