Lately my cav has been making a grinding noise in the front end that increases constantly with rolling speed. Once I get around 20 mph it starts this low grinding rumble and then gets higher as the speed increases all the way up to 80 and beyond. It doesn't matter if I turn or keep it straight and I replaced both front bearings last year. I swapped the wheels to the back and it didn't make a difference and the rotors and pads are less than a few months old.
It sounds like a gear grinding noise, like rounded teeth or something but the car runs and starts fine. I turned the engine off and coasted in neutral at 30 mph and it still grinds. I didn't change any parts but I did hit a monster pothole with the right front tire and it started around then. So instead of taking it into the shop I thought I would ask the JBO for any ideas. It's a 99 Z24 auto.
Mine made the same kind of noise when I got air borne in my 99Z. I @!#$ up both front wheel bearings. Mine was VERY load when I turned slightly left or right. I also tore my right front CV joint, boot, at the same time. Along with @!#$ up my oil pan and other crap.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, May 01, 2008 6:14 AM
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
i dont think it matters that the wheel bearings are new when you smash a pothole
The right tire met the pothole? If the growl gets louder when you are turning left (say, as you go around a long sweeping left turn... like a highway interchange..), and gets quieter as you turn right... then it's definitely the right front wheel bearing/hub that needs to be changed (yes, again..). Smashing into curbs will do the same thing, as I can attest to.
EDIT: Oops... got it backwards the first time. If you're turn left, you transfer the weight onto the right wheel... noise gets louder... then it's the right.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Thursday, May 01, 2008 6:48 PM
I thought it would be the bearings too, even though the right one is new I could have hosed it, but the sound is just as loud no matter which way I turn and there is no play in the wheel. It is a totally different sound than when they went bad last time. Could the axle be bent or would the CV joint make a grinding noise going straight? Maybe I'll swap in a new bearing set just to see if that does it. It wouldn't hurt to have an extra one around anyway. Thanks for your help guys,
When my cv joints on my 89 Bonneville went they made a clicking noise. I'm going to vote for wheel bearings. Its easy to check. if you pull off the wheel and detach the axle from the hub the hub should spin easily. If it doesn't you've got a bad bearing.
Another easy way to check is to press on the top of the wheel and listen for clicking.
-Chris
It was the bearings. Different noise, same problem. At least it was a $50 problem.
