Grind on right turn on 97 GV

[Paul94Z28]

My van is daily driven, mostly freeway with 180k. I recently had a check engine light that tunred out to be a trans code. I changed the filter and fluid and the code went away. It was feeling like it was dragging and not downshifting. This too went away with the fluid and filter change.

I was driving home today and the car made a very harsh (feel it in the gas pedal) grind when making a right turn. It did this on almost every right turn from that point on over 40 mph. Cars seems to run normal with left turn or straight line.

I am assuming there is an issue in the trans when the wheels are not going the same speed - like a differential problem???

Anyone have this. I know the trans is what goes with these, not sure if it is worth it or not.

[migs_auto]

This could also be a bad CV joint. try and isolate which side the sound is coming from. Bad CV joints tend to make much more noise when turning. Sometimes it is a "clicking" sound, sometimes a grinding sound.

You can try this (I have and it helped):

1. Find an good sized empty space, like a parking lot.
2. Open windows and shut off everything that makes noise (fan, car radio, etc)
3. While turning the wheel sharply, drive slowly (10 mph or so) and listen carefully.

This may help you isolate which side the sound is coming from. good luck

[Paul94Z28]

Yep, did that. It is just right turn. I did a little "phone research" and most places think it is a broken drift pin and tell me not to drive it, especially on the highway in case it lets go. I have found a couple of places with free inspections and estimates so probably will be heading that way and bringing wallet . This 180K mileage van is still a better deal than a new vehicle right now...

[plymouthsrock]

Could be a differential noise, although I would think that would be noisy on both R & L turns. Check the left front wheel bearing- loose, or rough feel when the car is jacked up? Was there a lot of metal in the trans pan when you changed the fluid?

[Paul94Z28]

No metal in the pan. The wheels seem to be fine, no movement up/down or side to side. This is definately right turn only. I have been told it could be a pin working loose and should not drive it. I was not planning on it anyways.

[migs_auto]

OK I am not sure what a drift pin is. I guess I should ask this.

1. Does it make noise as you are turning the steering wheel right ? - or
2. does it make noise as the car moves forward while steering wheel is already turned right ?

In number 1 steering wheel is moving and car isn't, in 2 the steering wheel is not moving and the car is.

Number 1 would indicate a problem with steering mechanism or ball joint. Number 2 would indicate a CV joint or wheel bearing or maybe tranaxle.

[plymouthsrock]

I think he said over 40mph

[migs_auto]

Yep, missed that in the orig post, but he also did the parking lot check so probably has noise at lower speeds too. Hmmmm... I asked because only thing that came up when I searched on drift pin was the steering mechanism.

This will probably be fixed by a mechanic but it is always good to go in with as much understanding as possible. Mechanics like to fix everything ($$$) and take guesses ($$$) as opposed to careful diag and one good fix. Some do it right but in my experience these are few and far between.

Ask questions like " Oh, you think that's broken huh, what makes you think that ?" and put your bullshit detecter on. Then say, "Can you guarantee this will fix my problem ?". If not then look elsewhere, if yes, get it in writing.

Good luck.

[Paul94Z28]

Ended up getting a new trans put in for $1200 with a 1 year warranty. The car has driven 10K with no issues. I am certain they fixed it. Now I just have to keep the body together