Trying to locate the source of a particularly awful " metal on rotating metal " noise that occurs when i'm steering left around a corner in my '66 xke coupe.
Hard to be precise but the noise appears to be coming from the front of the car.
I have had a good look around under the bonnet, front wheels, radiator fan, all seem ok.
This first happened when i was cornering hard with a heavy passenger ( sorry Fred ) and since then has occurred with less and less cornering speed and no passenger.
Would be grateful for any ideas ..
Thanks

 

Hi Tappetmsn,
I would look at the stone shield for the rotor, both sides. If that's not it, then I would look at the stone shields around the wheels. Then the underside of the bonnet and headlight bowl.

I hope this helps,

 

Thanks Bob .. will have a good look in the places you suggest.
Apologies for the double post.
Cheers
Charlie

 

Also check your engine mounts, when perished rotating bits can make unusual contacts.

 

Thanks 'rbr' for your suggestion ..
The two rubber engine mounts appear to be in good shape but the lower ball joints on both sides need to be overhauled.
Not sure if this could be the source of the mystery noise but needs doing anyway.
Apologies for the double post on this.
Cheers
Charlie

 

Hi Tappetman,
IF you are replacing the lower ball joints I would use the XJ40 sealed unit. Most suppliers sell them for E-types as a upgrade.

 

Thanks for the tip Bob, will use the XJ40 ball joints if available.
On your earlier post regarding possible contact or debris between the stone shields guarding the rotor, I had a good look around both wheels .. all looked normal.
Do you think the front right wheel bearing may have been damaged during that hard left turn when i first heard the "mystery" noise ?
Just didn't seem the right kind of noise though .. very difficult to put into words. There was a definite repetitive nature to the sound, most likely synched to wheel revolution I would venture to guess. At an estimated speed of 50 mph that works out to about 11 wheel revs per second which " sounds " about right ?

 

Hi Tappetman,
Could be a wheel bearing. I would Jack up the front end and start pushing and pulling on the suspension to check for excessive play. Grab the top and bottom of the wheel to see if there is too much play. You may want to have a helper looking for suspension movement while you wiggle things.