Bumping under front end of car

[dtownfb]

I have a weird one going on with my 2000 Olds Intrigue (160k miles). I plan to take it to my mechanic but was hoping someone can shed some light.

last Thursday when I entered a driveway of a restaurant (very small bump), I felt a bumping on the floor near the accelerator. It's as if something came loose. it continues to do this when I hit small bumps or undulations in the road. It's not a continuous bumping but rather it happens then stops. I don't feel it in the steering wheel nor does the car feel insecure while it is happening. I'm wondering what could be wrong.

Also note that I do have a rubbing sound in the right tire area that increases with speed. Not sure if this is related.

BTW, I had the wheel bearings replaced in the fall and the inner tie rods done in February.

Thanks in advance.

[harmankardon35]

sounds like maybe you have a defctive wheel hub (bearing)...did you get the cheap ones or the good OEM ones when you replaced them?

[dtownfb]

Of course the cheap ones. Unfortunately, I don't think it is the wheel bearings. I feel the bumping (occasional) at my feet rather then through the steering wheel. At times, it bumps when I brake. Very interesting.

[LittleHoov]

Did you have any brake work done recently? What happens when you hit the brakes while going in reverse?

I just had some similar things when I lost a bolt out of a caliper bracket on my car, it was my own fault, but it would drive almost completely normal in driver, a little noise once in a while, then in reverse it would slam the caliper assembly up in the wheel, talk about a weird noise/feeling.

[dtownfb]

I'll give that a try.

[dtownfb]

And the winner is: harmankarmon35!!!! My mechanic called and checked out the front end including the brakes. The only thing they could find is some play in the right front wheel bearing. Luckily, the part has a one year warranty and will only cost me the labor charge.