# Strange noise while driving

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-while-driving/57534>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** rx-8, mazda\
**Created:** [November 13, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-while-driving/57534 "2010-11-13T18:45:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eugjoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/50afbb/32.png) [@eugjoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eugjoy)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-while-driving/57534/1 "2010-11-13T18:45:42Z")

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While driving yesterday I heard a loud noise that sounded like someone sharpening a tool on a grinder. I stopped checked under the car and could see nothing there that would cause the noise. While car in neutral I checked under hood and raced the engine and everything sounded normal. Drove on for a short distance and heard the noise again while this time driving around 50mph in 5th gear. Stopped the car let it idle for a few minutes then drove to my home for another 15min. and no noise. Could it be a wheel bearing or maybe the clutch causing the noise.? The car is a 2005 with just under 20,000 miles

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-while-driving/57534/2 "2010-11-13T19:11:18Z")

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My guess based on the description and the milea would be that you’re hearing a brake wear indicator. It’s a metal “feeler” that touches the spinning rotor when the pads wear beyond a certain point.

Have the brakes checked. Post back.

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**Author:** ![eugjoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/50afbb/32.png) [@eugjoy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eugjoy)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise-while-driving/57534/3 "2010-11-13T19:51:43Z")

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Thanks for that advice. sounds logical to me. Will have the breaks checked.