Suspension/drivetrain noise?

[BlackJack]

ok, this sounds idiotic that I can build the crap out of the Alero and can't find the source of a stupid noise :rolleyes2:


Noise occurs at all speeds (only when moving), and sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the front driver's side, but only when applying any amount of left steering. Does not occur when going straight, or steering right.

Noise sounds like it MAY be rotational-related. Timing of the noise increases with the increase in speed.

Troubleshooting has ruled out the following:

1) Axle replaced

2) Hub/wheel bearing replaced

3) Transmission builders say it's not the output shaft on the trans because it would happen even when going straight, under any amount of load/speed.


Anybody have some ideas?

[Gr1m]

need a balance & alignment that could be caused from a bad tie rod, or you just have loud tires (my low pros are VERY loud)

[Nate's Alero]

need a balance & alignment that could be caused from a bad tie rod, or you just have loud tires (my low pros are VERY loud)

my low pro's are VERY VERY loud as well, but the occurrence of it only one direction,
go for a balance and alignment.

[Vella's Alero]

Hey Balckjack, sorry to threadjack but mine is doing basically the same thing that you are describing but when I make right hand turns but still coming from the front left tire. I got new tires in July, changed the hubs in August on both sides and this started quietly and now has just constantly gotten louder over the past month.

Could it be anything in the struts or CV joints? I asked a friend of mine about this and that's what he suggested I check. Any thoughts?

[Nate's Alero]

sounds like "getting louder" seems to be hubs again, check the rear bearings

[Vella's Alero]

sounds like "getting louder" seems to be hubs again, check the rear bearings

The rear bearings? even though it sounds like it is coming from the front right? I have even gotten my dad to drive the car so I can sit in the passenger seat thinking I'm just hearing come from there because I sit there but it sounded like it was coming from the same area still.

So would the rear bearings be basically another hub change or are they different?

[Nate's Alero]

The rear bearings? even though it sounds like it is coming from the front right? I have even gotten my dad to drive the car so I can sit in the passenger seat thinking I'm just hearing come from there because I sit there but it sounded like it was coming from the same area still.

So would the rear bearings be basically another hub change or are they different?

just new hubs, it's easier to change those anyway

[a4d2a0m]

If it only happens when you turn (depending on the noise.. creaking or a clunking) it is prob somthing with the strut mount bearing or cv joint.

[BlackJack]

Thanks for the input so far, but as I said, hub (with wheel bearing) already changed, and the axle has already been changed (that rules out CV).

so, that leaves recommendations to check alignment, and strut bearings, yes?

My question is, if it where strut bearings, why would it make a perfectly-timed popping sound continuously, as if it were rotationally proportionate to speed? That's not to say I'm ruling it out, just explain the logic please.

[jabartram]

Do you have a cracked rotor possibly?

[BlackJack]

possibly. I'm going to swap rotors (left/right) today and see if the noise switches sides. If that doesn't stop it, I'm going to drive it repeatedly into a concrete barricade until the noise stops.

[undersc0re]

Flat spot on tire, or rock stuck in tread.

[Fenderxcore]

Flat spot on tire, or rock stuck in tread.

A rock in the tread?...You're kiddin right?

[undersc0re]

A rock in the tread?...You're kiddin right?

I don't know just making a suggestion, maybe on the outside of the tire there is a rock stuck or flat spot making a noise when he turns, I was just thinking simple, maybe a ripped chunk of tread.

[BlackJack]

I think we can rule out tires. It's done this through 3 sets of tires, and the latest ones have very little tread to get anything stuck in - BFG G-force T/A drag radials.

[clutch1]

So it's a popping, not a rumbling? Hmm, sounds tricky.

Looking into the brakes sounds like the next step.. best of luck, I'm stumped if it's not the rotors or something.

[AtomicX]

I have the same exact problem as you, I can not figure it out either. I can hear the noise the loudest when I quickly jerk the wheel to the left, and comes from the driver side as well. Is not the tires because it happens on both my low profiles and my stock steelies, and is not balancing and allignment because I have gone for that 2ce and the noise still exists. Not the rotors because I have R1 concept rotors which are in perfect condition. I haven't checked the Hub or Strut yet.

[undersc0re]

I have another suggestion, your caliper pins, maybe they are worn out and the sliding part of the caliper is banging back and forth because of the wear. I know its more common for them to sieze than wear but I had a set of pins that were worn at approx 150,000 km. They were so loose the thing would wiggle. Also had a worn bushing where the strut rod slides through the bushing into the top of the shock so when the car was jacked up the rod wiggled at the upper bushing but the strut still had good shocking ability, also I had a bad upper strut mount plate it popped and crunched, and cause my car to pull to the left once in a while like I had a low tire, I guess it threw off the alignment, I changed it with a whole assembly and without an alignment it steers way better! Doubt I will get an alignment unless I notice uneven wear on any tire.

[Cliff8928]

If it happens predominantly when you turn left I would suspect a right side hub/bearing.

[BlackJack]

but the noise is coming from the left side when turning left.

Next thing I'll try is rotors/calipers, then strut bearings. After that it can only be the transmission alignment from the custom mount fabrication.

[loburbon]

my wifes car did the same thing. It was in the strut assembly. We use a white lithium spray grease at work so i sprayed some up in there and it quit.

[AXLE]

I'm going to try that then. Mine does it when it's cold outside. Braking has no effect on it but the noise is on the right and gets a little louder when I turn left but it's gone in about 1 minute of driving. I checked all suspension parts for looseness and the tires have been replaced, alignment done.