Noise in front (passengers side)

[BlackZodiac]

Car: 1997 Grand Am Se 3100

I can't for the life of me figure this out. It only does it after the car has been sitting for a period of time. I'll just start driving up the road and I'll hear a noise come from the passengers side near the front tire. The best way I can describe it is take a stick or something and beat it between two solid objects from side to side. "pucka-pucka-pucka" A couple seconds later it will do it again. Then it stops. It always does it two times. I believe it is something mechanical. Like a solenoid or something. I pulled off the front tires, but I can't see anything that would produce such a noise. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Anyone know what it is?
It doesn't seem to affect anything, but I'd love to know what it is so I could stop it!
Thanks

[glenno]

my 99 had a similar problem but only when turning. Turned out to be the front right bearing that i replaced 2 months ago.

[enve]

Okay personal oppinion cuz i had the same similiar problem, i was told that it would be my rim rubbing up against my breaks some(or something in there, which generally happens on turns) or it could be your breaks. Have your break pads checked, or get a jack that you use for changing a popped wheel, and take the pads off your self, pm me and ill give u details on how to do that if u dont) and it could just be that your passenger side break pad is getting low, also look on the calipers and rotors, see if theres any like kinda black stains on it, cuz if it is then you need to replace them. That generally runs for like $70-90 dollars for a package deal called loaded calipers (calipers w/ pads already on them), altho that would be the more expensive route to go its well worth it because it will last longer and save you the money in the long run(70-90 each, may be 102.99 in your area, check local pepboys or repair shop) then an aditional 50-100 would have to be paid for rotors, i just had my breaks completely redone my self, now all the noises are gone, even the one that you were explaining, i costed about $320 for loaded calipers and rotors then the labor, if they dont have the parts in stock it they can order them and it can either be over night, or 1-2 buisness days generally, then like 5-6 hours for them to install if busy, if not about 1-2 hours. Checking the pads your self your prolly take 30 mins to and hour, mabie longer if u have trouble getting the lug nuts off, but yea, if u have any questions, comments or anything feel free to pm me or send me an im on aim, my sn is enve25543

Oh Yea, forgot anotherthing, it could be one of the bearings in your wheel also, those seem to go defective every now and then, you can pick aftermarket/oem ones on ebay or u can search yahoo or google and find some performance part site/store/company that manufactures them for pretty cheap prices. I'm not quite sure on self installation of bearings because i havn't done it my self, but if u want i can look it up for you, always willing to learn, i'd say your best bet is just to take it in and see if a shop can figure out whats wrong with it if nothing i said clicks to your mind or fails too work.

[BlackZodiac]

I really don't think its a brake related problem. Try to imagine a door lock solenoid pulsing. Lock-unlock....lock-unlock....lock-unlock. It does it for the same duration everytime... exact same noise... every single morning. Then it will go away. Doesn't matter whether you're driving straight or turning. Like I said before it sounds like a mechanical device emitting the noise. It would really surprise me if it were brake related because it doesn't seem possible for it to make that sound.
Thanks for the replies.