139 HEAVY METAL GRINDING...

After initially thinking my new alloy woes were far behind me, a new and annoying issue turned up. I was merrily bombing it around in Jabby (her new name, a story for another time) when I thought I heard a weird noise.

Weird noises are nothing new in my car; it is 12 years old, had one not-so-careful owner (who has managed to pop the speakers in the back and put a dent in the roof from the inside), and it was built by Italians who aren't known for their exacting workmanship standards.

This noise was different; it was coming from the driver's front wheel and sounded like something was rubbing, metal on metal. I thought there might be some debris in the wheel arch, but I couldn't see anything.

I felt the alloy to check if it was hot (I had a partially seized brake pad on an old car which got so hot the wheel was impossible to touch; I spent large chunks of a journey back from Glasgow driving next to lorries, letting the spray from their wheels douse mine to cool down).

Everything looked and felt ok. I drove to work and opened the window on the way back to confirm I could still hear the noise...but I couldn't! Result! And then I could again. Grrr... And then I couldn't! The noise only occurs now when I'm going around a tight corner. I've had this before, and it was wheel bearings, but my money is on the alloys, as the issue has only occurred since I fitted them.

I haven't got the time or energy to start swapping wheels around. I also haven't got the expertise to know if it is as simple as a poorly fitted wheel or as serious as a bearing/brake/suspension issue - I guarantee it will be the most expensive option, whatever the problem.

I phoned the garage and told them about swapping the wheels over, and they instantly said that they might be too big. I then explained that they are an option for the car, and he said to bring it down for a look, as he was intrigued now, too. Jabby is booked for next Wednesday. I am preparing for this trip by lubing up and assuming the position, as I fear this won't be cheap. If it isn't one thing, eh?