Sort of a dumb question - the last 2 months when i drive my car after about 5 minuts i start to smell what seems like the smell of metal rubbing metal. If i start my car up and just let it idle for 5 or 10 minutes (or longer) it's fine, this only happens after the car has moved for several minutes. When i stop and get out of the car and walk around it i can't seem to pinpoint where the smell is coming from - i can tell it's coming from the front as the smell is weaker int he back, but int he front the smell is so strong i can't pinpoint it. My brakes are not making any noise but i assumed it was the brakes but the pads and rotors only have around 10k miles on them. Is it possible my wheel bearings could be smelling like this? I don't want to just try replacing them and find out that's not the problem. Brakes seem to work fine and it doesn't feel like the front tires are any more difficult to spin.

 

To check the wheel bearings, jack the front up, grab the wheel on each side and try to shake it back and forth.
Did you have the rotors turned when you did the brakes?
Pull the tire and feel the rotor surface to see how smooth it is.
If It's rough the rotors need turning and this could be your smell.
This will wear the pads out fast.