Wheel Scraping Brake Unit

[sdalloway]

I have looked everywhere for an answer to this...

When I go in reverse, the inside of the wheel scrapes the top of my brake unit/caliper. Sometimes, it even stops the car from reversing any farther due to the brake unti being right against the inside part of the wheel. When i jack the car up, i hear the brake unit move and the wheel is able to spin - when i put the car back down and try to drive, the wheel locks up again due to the brake unit rubbing right against the inside part of the wheel. It looks like it is seated properly, no gaps or anything. Any advice? I really do appreciate it.

[idol]

Hello,
sounds as if you have a bad wheel bearing. But before we can say for sure, please tell us the make, model, year, and milage of your car.

My first impression, based on what you describing, you have a very badly worn wheel bearing.
Please give us your car info and it will hepl me to troubleshoot better for you.
IDOL

[sdalloway]

Its a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am with 190K. Thanks for your help.

[idol]

Hello again SD.

If you were to bring your car to me with the complaint you have wriiten about, I would immediately ask if you'ver recently had any brake work done. If you had said yes, then I would begin there.
But, based upon what you have written, the symptons you describe, I'm going to suggest that you check the wheel bearings. Do it right away before you drive any further with the car.
A fast check is to jack the suspect wheel, and once it's off the ground, do a visual; check to see if the wheel appears to be hanging low or sagging.
Next grab the wheel/tire firmly and try to lift it and/or move it left and right. By doing this you/re checking if the wheel is loose and that the spindle is loose.

Again , my instinct leads me directly to the wheel bearings. It sounds to me as if you have one that is about to quit.
Do the checks , and let me know what you find.

IDOL