Grinding noise in front end when coasting

Car is a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with a 3.1 V6 engine. It has about 130,000 km's on it.

While coasting, I hear a grinding noise coming from the front of the car. If I lightly apply the brakes or accelerate slightly the noise seems to go away. Turning left or right does not seem to affect the noise - but it hasn't been around long and we've since got snow, so it's difficult to check.

Also, the ABS light has been coming on and staying on a couple times a week.

I do know that one of the front brake pads have a loose clip, so could be rattling, BUT this grinding noise is new and the brake pad has been this way for months. I do have replacement pads that I will be installing this week. While replacing the pads I will try and check out the wheel bearings.

- Any suggestions as to what could be causing the noise?
- Any other troubleshooting I should be doing?
- If I have to replace the hubs are there any tricks I need to know? Will the ABS interfere? Do I need to do an alignment afterwards? FWIW...

I changed the brake pads in front. The grinding seems to be gone...

The pad with the broken clip must have shifted and was rubbbing on the rotor differently.

ABS light comes on still and the LowTrac light comes on more often than it should so I will be doing some more diagnostics.

I did notice that my lower balljoints had some play when I grabbed the tire at 3 and 9 oclock and tried to wobble the tire. It was dead tight at 12 and 6 oclock so I know the bearing/hubs are OK. Thanks for the update. The grinding noise you heard was probably the wear indicator on the brake pad.