In the last week or so, I've noticed an *occasional* metal-on-metal sound, similar to a worn brake pad coming from my left rear wheel well. (not a high-pitched squeal, but definitely rotational) I hear it most when I'm braking hard in a straight line or making a sharp-ish left turn at speed. I also can reproduce it at low speed by cutting hard right.

Looking underneath (see photo below), I see where the dirt is disturbed from the sway bar link, but it's not severe enough to have cut through the paint yet. I don't see how it could make contact with the wheel without hitting the tire, too, and surely I'd see or hear something if that were happening.



Any ideas? I'm going to put it on jack stands and run it through some articulation this weekend, but I thought someone here might be able to point me in the right direction first.

 

Probably the Rubber brake line making contact with the sway bar link. But thats just my guess.

 

looks like the brake line would just about the only thing that could rub on it. since its not through the paint ide say it has to be something pretty soft / flexable.

 

If it were metal on metal it would be shiny by now. Check your rotors make sure they are not warped and check your calipers to see if they have any marks on them

*Edit also check to see if you calipers are tightened down if the bolts are loose the caliper can move and make braking sound horrible.

 

You can always but some grease on it and cycle it thru it's travel and see where the contact is at by where the grease will be.

 

Check your dust shield for any type of debris. I has a similar issue.

As for using grease on the rubbing area I would strongly discourage it. Mainly because the grease will attract dirt and rocks and if the sway bar link is rubbing the brake line you will wear a hole in it and have bigger issues.