Grinding & rubbing noise on tight parking-lot turns..help!

[d1giPhux]

This is happening on my 1999 Subaru Legacy GT. I am running 205/55/16 tires, eibach springs + 1" spacer kit and it has never done this before. I know this is not a result of suspension, or tire fitment issues.

When making hard turns to both the left and right while driving forward, or reverse, my car seems to be making a 'rubbing' type sound.

It does not sound metallic, however I have checked ALL the wheels and there is nothing in the way. It only seems to happen when pulling into / out of parking spaces. Low speed, tight turns almost at full lock.

This has only started happening recently, and I have a feeling its either a wheel bearing, or the swaybar end-links causing this. I'm not sure how possible that is..

Here are some pictures of my end-links. Not sure if these look completely BEAT or what? They do look beat, but how can i tell if they are junked and causing my issue? I have a feeling its the wheel bearings, and did shake the wheels and they seem to have a 'little' play. its hard to tell however.

Here are pictures of the end-links:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks1-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks1-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks2-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks3-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks4-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks5-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks6-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks7-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/11/endlinks8-1.jpg

Please let me know what you think. I'm mainly wondering if bad end-links, or bearings could cause the described problem, and how I may be able to diagnose it a bit better.

Thanks.

[harrymaneuvers]

I hate to say it but grinding/subbing noise at low speed sharp turns is indicative of center diff. Are you manual or automatic?

[d1giPhux]

Manual trans. I don't think its a center diff problem, but it could be.. that would suck. Definitely sounds like the wheel scraping on something, and only started recently. Maybe I should check my trans fluid as a start..

[d1giPhux]

Anyone know if a wheel bearing could cause this? Any other ideas / suggestions?

[d1giPhux]

Well.. appears I solved it. It ended up being the plastic liner. At first i thought it wasn't the plastic liner, but upon further inspection, it ended up being just that.

Fixed the problem with some zip ties and re-aligned the plastic liner on the passengers side. So far, so good!

Gotta love easy fixes!! :smt021 :smt023 :smt020