CV Joint Inspection, Repair Procedures

[Rustypierce]

I have a 2001 GT Grand Prix with 112k miles. It make a growling hum type noise that is continuous, and increases in frequency/volume with speed. My neighbor rode with me and said he thought it was a CV joint.

How do I inspect and repair this. I don't know if it is the right or left side. Does anyone have any links to helpful repair proceedures?

Thanks in advance
Rusty

[BNaylor]

Does the noise start at any particular speed? Sounds more like a hub bearing. CV joints to include bad axle shafts don't typically cause that type sound.

[Hungrycat7]

I second the hub bearing! IMO is easier to replace anyway!

[Rustypierce]

I was testing the noise in a parking lot today, trying to steer left and then right to put a load in different directions. I could not here the noise or growling sensation until I get up to higher speeds!

[BNaylor]

We have a tech procedure posted at our Tips & Maintenance forum for hub replacement. See link below.

Click here

[Rustypierce]

I will do the 9 and 3 and 12 and 6 clock test on the wheel tonight to see if I can detect any slopiness. If I do, I will change the hub. I will also inspect the CV boot closely for damage and leaks.

Thanks for the link.

I will update what i find!

[Rustypierce]

Last night I jacked up each wheel, one at a time and did the 12 & 6, 3 & 9 clock test. Each wheel was exactly the same without any wobble or slopiness. I rotated and inspected the CV joint on each side and everything looked good with no signs of wear, cuts or leakage. I then lifted the front in with both tires off the ground, disengaged the auto track and excellerated the car to 50mph. No Sound, no nothing. It was perfect! Took it for a test drive and it is there again. I just can't figure out what is making this sound in the front end.

The best description I can give is, it sounds like someone replaced one of my front tires with a 4x4 truck tire. It is a constant continuous sound that a 4x4 tire would make contacting pavement. It increases/decreases with speed. It is hard to hear when excellerating from a stop because the engine drowns the sound out. However at 30mph it is clearly evident. I rolled down the window to try to figure out what side it is coming from and you can't hear it because of all the wind muffleling the noise. Roll the window up and decellerate and you can hear it all the way to 0 MPH. The sound is constant when driving straight, it slightly increases when turning right and slightly decreases when turning left.

All this said, My guess is it's the left front hub. I hate to replace it for $150 and not fix the problem. Maybe the CV joint or the transmission?

I know the transmission could be bad because two years back I took it in to a transmission shop and they said it would cost $1800 to fix. It has a small inconsistent jump when changing gears around 15 mph. I asked them how much would it cost if I drove it until it quit and they said $2200. I said I would take my chances. Maybe my ship has arrived?

Any thoughts or opinions would be well appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Rusty

[BNaylor]

IMO you're putting too much effort into it. Also, the wheel pull test is ineffective testing for a defective hub.

You have a bad hub bearing. Basically it sounds like an airplane and the noise will change in frequency when turning the steering to the left or right. Typically first audible at speeds round 30-40 mph. Best thing to do is replace both hubs. When one goes the other may follow sooner or later.

[JonJon68]

What Bob said. I just went through this with my left front wheel hub. There was no play "yet". Replaced the hub and my car rolls quiet again.

[richtazz]

I will third what Bnaylor and Jonjon68 said, your issue is the hub bearings. If the noise doesn't change when you turn, they may both be going bad, just one is louder than the other. Avoid the cheap, chinese made generic hubs, they are junk and won't last.

For future reference, normally a CV axle will either make a clunking/popping noise when turning (outer CV joint), a varying rumble when going over undulating bumps (inner CV joint) or cause a vibration that increases with speed.

[MSimpson]

Yes, they are correct. I have just changed out both CV axels on my car, and neither made a roaring sound. My CV joints were making a clicking and knock sounds while break, turning, and accelerating.

[wlkjr]

Same noise mine made, sounds like mud grip tires. Replaced both bearings and no more noise. There was no play in mine either.

[Rustypierce]

Thanks for all the response. Everyone was exactly right! It was the left front wheel hub that was making all the noise. I purchased a new one #513121 for $150 and installed it. No more noise!

Thanks for all the advice. This is a great forum!