Groaning noise

1992 Olds Cutlass Ciera V6 3.3 MPFI
145, 000 Miles

Today, my right front tire went flat, so i threw on the spare for now. On the way home I noticed that when making any turns or light acceleration you can hear a groaning, almost grinding noise from the front end. It also does this in reverse, and It doesn't matter if the engine is running or not. Power steering fluid is fine, as is the Tranny fluid. Any ideas? I was thinking possibly a wheel bearing, but it still rolls freely.

Thanks in Advance

Only after you put the spare on? If so, maybe the tire is scalloped? How can it make a noise engine not running, car isn't moving? In the future please try and be more concise when describing condition, we are handicapped here at our desks. Itt akes 3 questions/posts to get a clear picture of the problem.

I'm not positive what you mean by scalloping, can you explain? When I said it continues to make a noise with the engine off, I meant, I put it into neutral and killed the engine and turned into a parking lot, and It continued to groan. It doesn't do it going straight, except during 0-20MPH if your lightly accelerating or braking. Its not that loud during these times, I first heard it coming around a light corner going 35 and it was ridiclous. Steering still seems tight. Could a lack of lubing the tie-rods cause this? I've neglected them. Haven't lubed them in 6k miles, but i've been up-to-date with the oil changes.

Scalloping is uneven choppy wear on a tire, can be felt by rubbing the palm of you hand over the tire, not the space saver, I assume? Again did this start when the spare was put on, why do we have to do this in bits and pieces? Not the tie rods they dont move going straight ahead.

Just an update everyone, I found the leak in the old tire and it was a nail, and since I can't patch a tire for the life of me my buddy did it for me. Put the old tire back on and the groaning sound is completely gone. Maybe its time to get a new spare.

Thought so.