2001 Alero - noisy steering

[2001Alero]

A friend of mine had my car for a month. Now that I have it back, I notice that whenever I steer to the left or the right, I hear a weird sound that I can only describe as some sort of 'revving' sound from the wheel. It's not a clicking or grinding, but almost the same sound as when someone revs their engine. Has anyone had this problem before and what is the solution?

Also, my Trac, Svc Engine, ABS was on, which I read here most likely was a glitch with a sensor located by the rear tire. Oddly, I went to get my vehicle inspected and they hooked it up to a machine. Ever since then, nothing has happened. Now, the lights are back on.

[BNaylor]

What is your current mileage?

Does it sound like an airplane or at what speed is the noise prevalent? Common issue is the front wheel bearings getting noisy and the wheel sensor going bad which means replacing the hub assembly. The pitch of the sound will change as you move the steering left to right, vice versa.

[2001Alero]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

What is your current mileage?

Does it sound like an airplane or at what speed is the noise prevalent? Common issue is the front wheel bearings getting noisy and the wheel sensor going bad which means replacing the hub assembly. The pitch of the sound will change as you move the steering left to right, vice versa.

- Not necessarily sounding like an airplane, but something kinda weird
- My mileage is 92000+
- It even does this when the car is parked if I just turn the wheels
- Yeah, the pitch of the sound changes as I move left and right

How much does that cost? Could that be why the ABS, Svc Engine lights are on too?

[xeroinfinity]

That sounds like a power steering pump issue. Typical with these. Thier are issues with both pumps and the rack & pinion.
Does it get worse/louder when its cold outside ?

You might be able to flush your power steering system and install new fluid.

Only way to find out if your hub/bearings are the problem would be to get it scanned with an ABS capable scan tool and see what codes come up.
If you have a code that would help diagnose your problem(s).

[BNaylor]

I thought about that JC but it could be the EVO actuator at the PS pump or the EBTCM module since that controls the Magnasteer (variable effort steering) that most 2001 and up Aleros have. That might explain the SVS, Trac and ABS lights being on unless it just happens to be coincidental.

A GM Tech 2 scan tool must be used to pull those codes.

[2001Alero]

Thanks for the info everyone, it sounds like I'll save my money by first getting it scanned and seeing what the codes are. Once I get the codes, if I have questions, I will definitely post the codes here for your advice/guidance. You guys rock!

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

I thought about that JC but it could be the EVO actuator at the PS pump or the EBTCM module since that controls the Magnasteer (variable effort steering) that most 2001 and up Aleros have. That might explain the SVS, Trac and ABS lights being on unless it just happens to be coincidental.

A GM Tech 2 scan tool must be used to pull those codes.

I havnt seen many problems with the EVO/magnasteer components themselves just a lot of pumps.
I guess if that was unplugged or the fuse is blown it would trip those indicator lights on.
No use in speculating, we'll wait for the DTC's.

[2001Alero]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

That sounds like a power steering pump issue. Typical with these. Thier are issues with both pumps and the rack & pinion.
Does it get worse/louder when its cold outside ?

You might be able to flush your power steering system and install new fluid.

Only way to find out if your hub/bearings are the problem would be to get it scanned with an ABS capable scan tool and see what codes come up.
If you have a code that would help diagnose your problem(s).

I'm doing midterms this week, but I plan to have it checked out next weekend. It's warmer here today and I barely hear the sound like I did the other day when it was in the 30's.

[Slash65]

Hi all new here ,,,Noticed this thread had someone say sounding like an airplane ,,well just what im getting from my front end,,Had a scan done and was told left front wheel hub ,changed that today and the sound and all lites are still on +2 new ones the E brake aswell now.
Just got this darn thing back from putting in new tranny,,Left side wheel hub was changed just over a year ago.
2000 Alero 211.000k
Scan said left but could the right be going aswell or is this sound comming from something else.