front end noise

[tthomp9675]

I have a 98 Grand Prix 3.8. I am having a roaring noise in the front end (sounds like passenger side). The noise is not loud, almost like mudd tires on pavement. Also noticed when adding washer fluid that there is some grease looking splatters on the passenger side sort of below the alternator/serpentine belt area. I have been told that the axle is probably bad. How can we check that at home and what else whould be checked. Thanks for any help you can give me!

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to AF!!

Jack the car up and put on jack stands. Remove the front wheel and check the area around the axle shaft. This sounds like the grease boot is bad on the shaft and is allowing grease to be flung all over the car. If this is the case the CV joint is probably going bad and the shaft will need to be replaced with a new one. It is also possible that the wheel bearing on that side is going bad too. Since the shaft goes through the bearing when you change the shaft this will be a perfect time to change the bearing as well. Not a cheap repair by any means but it will be necessary or the car will eventually leave you on the side of the road. Good Luck!

[tthomp9675]

Thanks for answering my question, but now I have two more and I'm not sure if I should post them as a new thread, but I'll try here first.
1. I went to Autozone about the axle and theres is a rebuilt b.c. it has a core charge. Are these ok to get or should I try elswhere and if so where?
2. On the way home from work, service engine light came on and I got it checked while at AZ. They said I needed a mass air flow sensor. Again the one they have is rebuilt (Cardone - I think). I thought when looking through other threads, that those are not the best choice and there was a link to buy one online but now I can't find that thread! Can you help me with that too?
Thanks again!

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by tthomp9675

Thanks for answering my question, but now I have two more and I'm not sure if I should post them as a new thread, but I'll try here first.
1. I went to Autozone about the axle and theres is a rebuilt b.c. it has a core charge. Are these ok to get or should I try elswhere and if so where?
2. On the way home from work, service engine light came on and I got it checked while at AZ. They said I needed a mass air flow sensor. Again the one they have is rebuilt (Cardone - I think). I thought when looking through other threads, that those are not the best choice and there was a link to buy one online but now I can't find that thread! Can you help me with that too?
Thanks again!

Sent you a PM.