I've been looking for the answer to this for what seems like years and can't find anyone with a similar problem...

I own an '06 tC and when I make a right or left turn the front end makes a rubbing noise, kind of like two thick metal disks rubbing on one another as the wheel turns. HOWEVER, the noise goes away when the pavement is wet or I've just washed the car.

I took it to the dealership while it was still under warranty and only making the noise while turning left. They couldn't find anything wrong with it but acknowledged the sound -- although it was much less noticeable then. It is now way past warranty and the noise is coming from both sides.

Thoughts?

 

If you have access to a lift, put it up and turn the wheel all the way over then try to spin the wheel and see if you can figure out where it is coming from. Or have someone else drive it in a circle in a parking lot while you are in the middle and see if you can figure out where the sound is coming from.

I know my rear left wheel makes a noise like you discribe but it is because the rotor is warped a little. The warp is small enough to make a noise but not big enough to make any kind of difference when brake.

However, I don't think you have the same problem because you said that it stops when its wet out, which really weird. I would say lube up the joints but not sure if you can with the tC.

 

Put anti-seize on the back of the pads, in between the shims, and on the slide pins. Then check it. Brakes make strange noises.

Start there and then let us know.

 

I have the same issue actually! Esp when I turn left. And no noise on wet roads.
Also, DO NOT put anti seize on your slide pins, use high temp brake grease. Supposedly anti seize does not get hot enough on the slide pins and turns hard.

Anyway, my noise has been diagnosed as my tires. I find it weird but when I am standing outside car on a dry surface, my tires make a strange noise which could be reverberating back to the cabin to sound like metal. This is what the dealership told me. Jury is still out if I believe them or not but there is no other noise like what I hear in car outside of car.

 

replace rotors / pads. done. if noise persists, replace wheel bearings. if noise continues to persist, check axles.

this is your checklist to diagnose the noise issue from CHEAPEST to MOST EXPENSIVE.

 

Was the noise ever figured out? What did it end up being?