Hey, I have a loud growling noise on my 97 Cavalier. It generally happens at high speeds 35+ mph. So I thought it was the wheel bearing and I went ahead and replaced the front left... as that is where I thought the sound was coming from.
This didn't stop the sound... now it sounds a little more like it might be comeing from the front right... but I jacked up the Car... tried to jerk the front tires around and they seem to be rather solid (I heard free movement could help diagnose this).
If it helps at all... if I am going 40-50 mph and the sound is loud, then turn my steering wheel slightly to the right, the sound stops... until I have to straighten the wheel again. This only happens when I turn it right... a slight turn left on the steering doesn't seem to change the sound at all. Any suggestions?
2007-01-30 06:01:41 · 9 answers · asked by DavisWalk 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
to determine which side the noise is coming from jack 1 side up so the tire does not make contact with ground. set the emergency brake, start the car up and put into drive. doing this only the raised up side will turn.
do this on both sides.
Now you will know which side is making noise.
if noise is on 1 side only check wheel bearing, brakes and CV joint. to check wheel bearing for wear put 1 hand on top of tire the other on bottom. push / pull in opposite direction on top and bottom. any looseness indicates bearing wear.
check brakes: check disc pads to ensure they are not worn down too much. some disc pads have a thin metal wear indicator on them that will come in contact with rotor when pads are worn too much. this could be the cause of your noise.
next put transmission in neutral. turn tire by hand. it should turn easy. if you feel drag as you are turn check caliper. when the brake pedal it released the disc pads should not drag on the rotor if they are replace the calipers. if this is your problem replace both calipers even if only 1 side is dragging.
last check CV joints. inspect rubber boot that covers CV joint if the is any damage to this boot, repair CV joint.
if noise is on both sides check brakes and transmission.
2007-01-30 06:38:53 · answer #1 · answered by Sundew 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jack up the front end of your car. Spin the left wheel. Then spin the right wheel. Is the right wheel rotating more slowly or not making as many full rotations as the left wheel? You may or may not hear your growling if you spin the wheel hard enough. If the right wheel isn't spinning as many times or it's spinning more slowly with the same amount of force, the right wheel bearing is probably your culprit. It's alway a good idea to replace them in pairs anyway since they tend to wear out together.
C.V's tend to make a clicking or popping noise that starts when you turn, not goes away when you turn, and is distinctly different than a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing that has totally failed may make a similar clicking and popping growling noise, but the growl is almost always there with a wheel bearing, and not so much with a CV. You can also check the CV by trying to wiggle the half shaft it back and forth. Less than a quarter inch of play is normal. Anything more than that, you're looking at a wearing out CV or worn out CV. Generally, the only time a CV is going to wear out is if the boots are ripped or cracking.
ugh, I forgot not everyone drives a standard transmission car. If you drive a front wheel drive automatic, Sundew's recommendation will be better for you.
2007-01-30 06:15:49 · answer #2 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say you replaced the wrong wheel bearing. just because wheel is tight doesnt mean the bearing is good here's how you can check have vehicle in neutral with wheels chucked of course jack up the front of vehicle so both tires are off the ground grab hold of the right front strut spring as you or someone else spins the right front wheel you should actually be able to feel the growling through the spring. if the right front is ok double check the left front I've gotten brand new wheel bearings before that were bad but I think you'll find that the right side is bad either way good luck I hope this helps.
2007-01-30 14:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by drizzt2877 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If its the 2.2 motor they have trouble with the timing chain guide sometimes . The car may still run but it can jump a tooth. You will be able to hear a rattle in the front of the motor where the belts are. If this is the case take it in to get checked out.
2016-03-29 10:00:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be the bearing in the power steering pump,making the noise.
2007-01-30 08:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cv joint going and tire areas where tires connect to also check power sterring fluid also and may need power sterring pump replaced and anything also in sterring system replaced but its definetely cv joint issue
2007-02-02 16:48:30 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
replace your other wheel bearing, had the same problem on a grand am.
2007-01-30 13:44:43 · answer #7 · answered by mister ss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a C.V. joint going bad.
2007-01-30 06:15:06 · answer #8 · answered by jarhed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad CV joint
2007-01-30 06:18:27 · answer #9 · answered by Ironball 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋