Mystery grinding

[Shndags]

Hello. I have a 94 xlt explorer 4x4 auto tranny and manual hubs. The other day I was driving along and turning a left corner, I could hear some serious front wheel grinding, like metal on metal. I drove home carefully and when stopping for a light I could hear and almost feel it again. I figured something's wedged between the rotor and pad or something's rubbing in it. Today I took the wheels off to look at it and everything looks fine, brake pads (1yo), pins, rotor, dust cover everything looks like normal and I can't see where anything could've rubbed. The bearings were replaced 2 years ago and I couldn't feel any play in the wheels (can't find the hub nut socket to check them, still looking). Had tie rods and ball joints done the same time as bearings as well as one front axle ujoint. Everything looks just fine, so what the heck could the horrible grinding be from? I'm stumped.

 

[Rick]

I have to ask, the hubs are not engaged, are they?

 

[Shndags]

I have to ask, the hubs are not engaged, are they?

No.

 

[ChildIdenticant]

and when stopping for a light I could hear and almost feel it again.

You heard/felt grinding while stopped, or slowing down to stop?

If this was all of a sudden, and possibly intermittent, even though yousense it coming from the front you might want to check for broken spring in a rear drum brake.