Fencer

I have the car up on jack stands at the moment and was just spinning the front right (passenger) wheel when I heard a metal on metal sound throughout about 170-180 degrees of rotation. When you hear the sound it becomes more difficult to spin the wheel. Not by much but it is noticable. When I had the alignment done a few months back they did a runout check on the inner portion of the rotor and it was spot on, virtually no variation. Anyone have any ideas? If it is the bearing is there a chance of catastrophic failure, i.e. wheel lockup at speed?

xviper

I doubt it's your wheel bearing. It's more likely that the brake pad is just touching the rotor during a part of the rotation. Most cars do this. Not a concern if the car stops properly and there's no odd feel in the steering wheel.
To test a failing wheel bearing: Try to head out to the highway and drive for about 30 minutes at speed, then if possible, coast to a stop without using the brakes (or as very little as possible). Go out and feel around the base of the wheel spokes, near or on the central hub area. If you bearing is bad, it will be extremely HOT, so be careful. If it's just warm, it ain't likely the bearing.

Fencer

Thanks!! I'll try that as soon as I can.

Nobody

Sounds like a warped rotor.

xviper

A warped rotor should be felt at the brake pedal when braking. And the runout was checked and deemed good, right?

Billman250

Make sure the rotor is not touching the tin backing plate as well.

Fencer

My thoughts exactly on the warped rotor...I don't feel any problems when braking. Yep, runout check was good. Although I might borrow a depth gauge from work and check it again myself.

On of the first things I checked was the back plate and there's no contact.