Front brakes/axle stiff/grinding

[dammad]

My 2009 4S has been running well, but recently I noticed that when I brake I can feel some mild grinding when I brake at low speeds. No brake wears lights are on, so I checked the front and rear brake pads manually and they both have lots of pad left.

 

I removed a front wheel and found that if I turn the hub by hand:

- it moves very stiffly. Even after I've put the PDK in N. and handbrake is off

- there is some rotational play in the front axle shaft to the 4WD system. You can feel it touching on the gears to the left/rightNot sure if this is normal, but thought I'd mention it. 

 

Now I'm wondering if the brake system at the front is doing something strange (why can't I turn it easily) or there's an axis/4WD problem? Discs look very good and I get no vibration under braking. 

 

Any ideas? Is the axle and turning stiffness just a feature of the 4WD? 

[dammad]

After leaving it for a while the hub moves more freely, so assume it was residue pressure in the lines. 

 

Still, doesn't explain why I get grinding feeling/noise when I brake at low speed.

 

Any ideas on that?

Edited October 15, 2017 by dammad