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Hey guys.

So, I've figured out this noise is coming from the front left wheel area.
Only does this noise when making right hand turns, although it does seem like I can get it anytime I'm over 70 mph. Depending on the turn/speed, it seems to do this more when you are on the throttle, but I can get it to do it when I'm at speed, like getting off the highway making a right bank, as in the video.

I've attached a video, you can hear it start around the 3 second mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0g2j3oYFOI

This was getting off the highway this morning.

It has been checked over by a couple mechanics now, and there is nothing loose or visibly wrong.
They seem to be stumped, but think it could be a wheel bearing starting.

Any ideas?
Car is a 91 2.2 non turbo AWD auto.
Car has brand new front left axle, and front left ball joint.
Thanks!

maybe, jack it up take the tire off and spin the hub. You'll know real quick if the bearings bad or not. Could be a ball joint or bad axle as well

Both the ball joint and axle are brand new.

There is also no noise when turning the hub while the car is in the air.
Including when listened to with a stethoscope.

Hi,
Where'd you get that axle? Brand/model? Cheap ones are junk, IMHO.

Loose/worn motor mounts allowing the engine to move enough on RH turns to cause an issue? Can you rock/move the engine around while it's turned off?

GL,
Td

wtdash wrote:Hi,
Where'd you get that axle? Brand/model? Cheap ones are junk, IMHO.

Loose/worn motor mounts allowing the engine to move enough on RH turns to cause an issue? Can you rock/move the engine around while it's turned off?

GL,
Td

Hi, thanks for the response!

The axle is a reman OEM axle.
The noise was there before replacing that.

I will have to check the engine and see what happens there.
Thanks for that suggestion!

Take a look at your bushings. Are there any rub marks in the fenderwell?

Legacy777 wrote:Take a look at your bushings. Are there any rub marks in the fenderwell?

I'll have to check these.
Been focusing on other things.

The engine doesn't have any movement, so I think I can rule that one out.

I don't drive it everyday, but I brought it today and I noticed it seems to be starting to hum now on the highway, from the front left.
So I'm still thinking it's a wheel bearing, and hoping it's getting worse now so I can get it fixed.

Sounds exactly like a wheel bearing to me. Mine wouldn't make the noise up in the air.

robertpaige wrote:Sounds exactly like a wheel bearing to me. Mine wouldn't make the noise up in the air.

Thanks for the comment!
At least I know I'm not alone on that.

I let mine get so bad my whole wheel was loose. I just replaced my knuckle with a used one.

robertpaige wrote:I let mine get so bad my whole wheel was loose. I just replaced my knuckle with a used one.

I don't want to let it get to that point.
Probably see about having it replaced in the next week or so.

I don't drive it every day, so it won't see many more miles anyways.

Bringing this back up.
I use this car as a winter car, so now it's been getting more use the last few weeks.

The sound is still there. I just replaced the muffler on Monday, and the car is a lot smoother and doesn't seem to be doing this sound anymore on the highway.
Today is the first long trip I've made with the new muffler on, but it honestly drives smoother than ever now.

I was hoping that the muffler had cured the issue, although, I didn't see how.

So, when putting the steering wheel lock to lock at idle, I'm getting this sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do3YpKMphS4

I'm not sure if it's the same sound as I was having before or not, since I'm not moving in that video, vs the original video I posted.
I don't have the steering wheel all the way over and holding it, It's just off from the lock.

Anyone have any ideas what would make a sound like that at idle?

not knowing where the camera is in this video doesnt help but if i had to guess it sounds like the bushing/seal at the fire wall (oops I mean bulk head...ha) that the steering wheel goes through to keep air/water/dirt out of the cabin. it dries out and the shaft turning in the dry rubber makes that groaning noise. spray some white lithium or pb blaster onto that sucker and see if it goes away.

Thanks for the reply.
The camera is around the drivers floor area. Although I don't think it would matter, as you can hear it anywhere inside the car.

The car is at a dead stop, and the steering wheel is just off the lock, I'm not turning the wheel when it's making the sound.

So, I don't think it's that, however, it does sound like I should still spray that bushing.

well if your not turning the steering wheel its definitely not what I said then. And it only does it when you are turned? Just for curiosity, try taking the power steering drive belt off and see if it makes that noise when the pump is not running.

*watching the video again made me think that something could be rattling your exhaust against your transmission tunnel or cross member. that's why it changed when you put on a muffler. Your going to have to crawl under there when its making that noise and check it out. use a glove and hold your exhaust and see if the noise goes away.

TurnNburn wrote:well if your not turning the steering wheel its definitely not what I said then. And it only does it when you are turned? Just for curiosity, try taking the power steering drive belt off and see if it makes that noise when the pump is not running.

*watching the video again made me think that something could be rattling your exhaust against your transmission tunnel or cross member. that's why it changed when you put on a muffler. Your going to have to crawl under there when its making that noise and check it out. use a glove and hold your exhaust and see if the noise goes away.

That's a good possibility!

I don't think it's the power steering because it seems like it's coming from the floor area of the car.
I'll have to check the mid pipe and see what it's doing.

Before the new muffler, there was a similar sound to this at highway speeds, and you could also feel it in the floor.
So I think this whole thing is just the exhaust system.