Wheel Noise

Car Specs: 2001 SC1

I was driving earlier today, around 75-80 mph, and heard a loud
grinding/squealing noise from the front driver side of the car. The noise
stayed the same, even during breaking. I changed gears (std. tran. 5th to
4th) and no change in noise. The only change was when I made a slight left
turn on and exit ramp, when the noise lowered in pitch and more faint. I
have yet to hear this again.
What might this be? I was thinking CV joint, but only have <30K miles on the
car ( I purchased use at 24K from Saturn) Maybe it was never inspected? what
about failing wheel bearing? any suggestions would help. Thank you.

 

What broke? That's probably what was making the noise.

steve

 

Nothing is visibly broken, ie there is nothing hanging down or anything like
that. This is not a constent sound either, just started for about 10 minutes
or so, then stoped, when I made the turn.

 

Bearings?

 

I just went thru something similar to what you are mentioning. On
yours it could be the brake pad sensor that starts touching the disc
when the pads are getting a little thin. That is the easiest item to
start checking. Then again, it could be the mystery noise that I have
been experiencing the past two winters. The noise you describe came
and went on my SL under sub freezing temps when the road was slushy
with ice. snow, salt sand mix. You can check my past post of a couple
of weeks ago for more info on what I did. Bottom line was; I changed
the front wheel bearing, which was probably unnecessary(passenger
side). I would say that once a wheel bearing starts going out, the
noise will not go away and will get worse. After changing the
bearing, still with sub freezing temps, the noise was still there, on
the passenger side only. By then, I had put so much time into this
thing, freezing my arse off that I said to hell with it and waited on
something to fail. Since then, we have had warmer temps here in NH
and the noise has gone away and not reappeared. The noise seemed to
go away immediately after the temps rose. If you find out any
specific problem with yours please post and maybe you can be the one
to solve the mystery.<g> Good luck,
MR

 

1. disc brakes, there is a goopy compound that you put behind your
brake pads to prevent squeeling. the consistancy of toothepaste.
2.. jack the front of the car up and wiggle the wheels by holding from
the tire with your hands. re-pack and tighten the wheel bearings with
grease and new cotter pins, never tighten wheel bearing nut more than
finger tight, use channel lock pliers only if you have to, no wrench of
any kind. dig? test drive. 3. if the steering
wheel has vibration, remove the wheel wieghts. 4.
get some silicon spray lube and check your steering linkage,
ball-joints, idler-arm, pitman-arm, tie-rod ends, everthing should move
freely by hand with the front of the car up on jack stands 5.
look for shiney spots where something might be rubbing.
6. could be shock absorbers, remove and replace
7. could be wrong size tires or out of balance, something in the wheel
cover like a broken wheel cover, maybe remove the wheel covers
8, dress all your belts with the silicon spray lube. maybe its the
power steering belt slipping

http://community.webtv.net/bwclaypool/doc

 

It isn't often I block anyone here, but today I'm making an exception.

Ken

 

It isn't often I block anyone here, but today I'm making an exception.

LOL Ken.......good way to deal with it!

Jamie

 

I saw troll after reading 2 posts. The link makes me think a spam
troll.

Ken