Hi. I have a 2003 volvo s60. I've had a persistent scraping noise in the front left wheel area for about 2 weeks. It's more pronouced at slower speeds and during slow turns and appears only in a certain point of each rotation of the wheel. I've visually inspected the area but can't find anything. I had my tires rotated and the noise is still there. There is no affect to the steering or handling. Brake disk and pads have been changed with no effect. I do need an alignment, but i don't think this is the culprit. Today when i was driving i felt like a small pop, or crack noise and a puff of white smoke came out the back of the car. I pulled over and none of my warning lights came on. I cautiously drove home (a few blocks away) and i am afraid to take it back out. Not sure if the two are related, however the scraping noise makes me nervous.

Any ideas?