I wanna say, I'm new to the forum, and I hate having my first post be one asking for help, but unfortunately I had something go wrong before I did something cool with the car, so here we are.

I have a new-to-me 2003 Acura TL, base model with 170k miles. It has started to make a noise from the driver front side when I turn right, that's sounds like metal sliding on metal.
A few weeks ago, it would only occur if you took a right at ~20mph, but now it does it more frequently, and you can only avoid it by going 5mph or so. The noise has also gotten louder.
The sound will stop if you turn left, or gently rock/jekl the wheel to the left. It gets louder the faster you go, but gets quieter when you apply the brakes. Engine RPM's don't seem to affect the pitch or volume.
So far, I've jacked up the front of the car, and tried jiggling the front tires, and they are rock solid. No play.
​​​​​​Next, I took the tires off, and checked the brake shield. It doesn't have any wear marks on it from scraping (at least none I could see)
Next, I took off the calipers and inspected the brake pads. They're brand new, and the wear on all the pads are even.
Finally, I inspected all the suspension components inside the wheel-well, and looked at the inside of the rims. There looked to be a small wear ring on the rims about 4" in, but it was covered in brake dust, and the metal wasn't shiny, so I suspect it's just erosion from brake dust and sand being flung into it from the brake disks. (the car came from the Arizona desert)

Other things the car has going on that may or may not be part of the same problem:
The steering wheel vibrates when stopped in gear, but the vibration reduces a lot when you go into neutral.
Heavily braking at highway speeds causes quite vigorous steering wheel shake. The faster you're going, and the harder you brake, the stronger the shake.


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If anyone has any expirence with a problem like this, I could really use the help. In the past I've been keen to just rip everything apart, and replace stuff as I go, but I'm going to college 300 miles from home, and I don't have the luxury of my parents garage, nor the disposable income of a high schooler.

 

that noise is the wear indicator on the brake pads; indicative that a brake pad change is needed soon. The condition of turning in any way or applying brakes to get it to go away are purely coincidental.

Did you check the rear pads? Are you certain you installed the pads in the right direction? I'm not even sure you can insert them backwards, but worth a check.

steering wheel shaking when braking at highway speeds or going downhill at highway speeds would suggest an issue with the front rotors; very common on our cars.

 

I was leaning toward that as well; however, he stated below that the brake pads were brand new?
Maybe the wrong pads were installed?
+1 on the warped rotors.

 

The pads have a ton of meat on them, close to 3/16" left before the rotor would come into contact with the wear strip. The pads also can't be installed backwards.

I can't be absolutely certain the the right pads were installed, as I didn't install them, but they fit absolutely perfectly in the caliper, and when they're in they don't have any play.

I did some further testing last night, and the noise will occur when coasting into a right turn, while in neutral. I think that rules out brakes.

 

How do the pad metal retainers look?
They are not interfering with the rotor on the inner aspect of the retainer?

 

You know, I was so convinced that the noise was coming from the front, I didn't even think to check the rear. I haven't taken the wheel off yet, but the pad certainly looks thin!

I will take the wheel off and look after class!
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I will look at that also, you guys are great

 

So, I looked at the rear pads, and they were worn down to​​​​​ the wear strip, but I don't think the wear strip was active yet, because there was an untouched layer of rust on it.

However, the caliper pin boots on the drivers side were completely disintegrated, and the pins were covered in sand and hard to move. I replaced the pins and boots, and did my best to clean out the holes and regrease them. I also replaced the rear pads while I was at it.

I didn't have time to look at the front end again, or even take it for a test drive - that'll have to wait for tomorrow.

I am doubtful that the brake job fixed it. Could some bad caliper boots/pins really be the cause of that noise?

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I guess we'll find out tomorrow!!

 

Great job btw!!!

You are one of the few that actually investigates with your hands and eyes!
Keep up the great work

 

I recently did my brake job and found one of the guide pins was seized up so I had to deep clean it but I never had any weird noise like that, none of boots were torn also.

 

Whew! I'm high on life now!

Took her for a thorough test drive, and no more noise! Also, the vibration from braking at highway speeds is almost zilch. I think that driver rear brake wasn't actuating properly, and it was either directly causing the vibration, or it was triggering abs.

I didn't realize brakes could exhibit that behavior, and I don't think I would've figured it out without your guys' help. So, thank you.
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Ha, thanks. Broke and in college, there's not many other options though. I'm just glad it was a $50 brake job, and not wheel bearings.

That said, if I ever see a scissor jack again, it'll be too soon. I'm getting a hydraulic one for up here as soon as I can!

 

^
Nice Work!
Performing the required investigative effort paid off.
This is a good lesson because getting your hands dirty and not being afraid / intimidated by what's in front of you (basic car work) keeps hard earned discretionary $$ off of the 'third party labor' side of the ledger.
Good Luck with your studies.