strange rubbing noise

[maherbaz]

So after only 4 seperate trips to the saturn dealership, my car is almost free of all of the problems those crappy mechanics created in the first place. I still have to bring it back next week because they busted out the two little button hole covers right behind my power window buttons on the center console (wtf?). Anyway, let me get to my point:
When I was driving yesterday, I heard a rubbing noise comming from the front right of my car. It sounded like the tire was rubbing the tire-well. I just assumed that the mechanics left something loose when they reinstalled this bumper for the third time, but when I stopped I couldn't find anything. After 20 minutes, it stopped. Later my gf was riding w/ me, and it started again, but she (in the passenger seat) helped me narrow the problem down to not the front right of the car, but the very center (almost directly below my automatic shifter). Thanks to the missing button covers, the noise is even worse I think.
One more thing, this rubbing noise seems to only happen when I take my foot off the gas, like when coasting to a stoplight. Also, yesterday the temp was in the single digits, and thats the coldest my car has seen since I've owned it. Also, its an auto tranny....if that helps.
Does anyone know what I should check? (I did have some front end damage, mechs replaced radiator and ac condensor). Is there a chance that I have some tranny problems? There is no slipping.
Thanks! sorry for the length!
Maher

[maherbaz]

bump

[DustenT]

Did you try looking under your car?

[aceyx]

If it's coming from the transmission tunnel, it could be a worn guibo / flex disc or center bearing.

If it goes away in 20 mins, it's probably because the part becomes warm and thus smoother, leading me to believe it's a center bearing.

If you've got lag in response, and hear a *clunk* or get unsmooth shifting, it's probably the guibo.


As a word of advice--if you have to go to a mechanic more than twice to get something fixed, go somewhere else. It's worth the money lost to take it to somebody that knows what they're doing.

[maherbaz]

yeah I checked under the car.....I thought it was a piece of the bumper/duct work that was rubbing the tire at first. Shifting is still smooth and there is no lag. Is there a chance that it was just because it was so cold out? (in the teens) How expensive/difficult to replace/necessary is the center bearing? I am not familiar with it.
thanks

[aceyx]

If the vibration goes away, I would say it is just the cold creating the problem. When it happens constantly, it's gotta be replaced.