2001 Malibu front end noise after hitting a deep rut.

Good day,

My first post here,,, Hope to get some help!

I was driving up the tollway in Chicago 2 weeks ago and hit a deep rut.
Immediately there was a whining noise. I pulled over at the next toll booth and found a large bulge on the side of the driver's side tire. I did not change the tire at that time since it was a new tire and raining heavy. I continued to drive another 1,200 miles to my destination. There I replaced the tire (new) and had a mechanic look into the noise. He replaced the D.S. front bearing assembly.

The noise was still the same as before. Drove home 2,000 miles and had an alignment done. Noise is still there.

This noise sounds like inside a turbo prop plane. Starts around 25 mph and gets louder the faster you go. There is no vibration or pulling and is definately on the drivers side.

If anyone has experienced this, please let me know.

Thank you.

When it starts making the noise turn the wheel to the right and left (abviously in a place that will permit this) fairley aggressively. Does the noise change? if it does, when? Turning to the right or left.

Noises will travel and the sound you are describing fits a wheel bearing. Are you sure its not coming from the rear? An experienced front end tech will have several tricks he/she can use to figure out where the noise is coming from. Find this person and you will be in good shape! :biggrin:

jack the front end up on both sides and inspect the coil spring on the strut assembly. They're very easy to break after some miles.