Grand Am Drive axel noise

[sjoesten]

I have a 1996 Grand Am GT with the Quad 4 and 5 spped manual transmission. There is a rotating thumping grinding noise coming from the front end predominantely from the drivers side when turning left at speed. The rotation sound is about the prm on the wheel and almost sound like CV joints but it is not. I have had it to 3 different mechanics and the repairs have become increasing expensive withour resolving the problem. CV joints and wheel bearing replaced, transmission checked and then finally changed out for a used one, hubs changed, wheel bearings changed and still the noise persists. The last guy said to just dirve until something breaks. I like this car 130,000 miles of good service, but no one can figure out this noise. I am willing to spend a little more but there is are no other rotating parts that I can think of that would cause this noise. Any help out there? l

[skibum1111]

Check your brakes, sounds like something might either be worn or loose. If thats not the case, rotate your tires, one might be bad.

[sjoesten]

Originally Posted by skibum1111

Check your brakes, sounds like something might either be worn or loose. If thats not the case, rotate your tires, one might be bad.

We tried rotating the wheels, same noise. Changed brake pads and rotors, same noise. The rotating and clunking noise really sounds like a bearing or CV joint.

[xeroinfinity]

could be bushings in the lower control arm leting it sway and swaping when you turn. But if you havnt replaced the CV joints, i'd say thats the culprit.

[sjoesten]

Originally Posted by sjoesten

We tried rotating the wheels, same noise. Changed brake pads and rotors, same noise. The rotating and clunking noise really sounds like a bearing or CV joint.

The CV joints have been changed. How can I check out the lower control arm bushings?

[xeroinfinity]

If the CV joints were just installed, and you are experianceing unusual noise, someone could hav not torqued things properly and its sloppin around.


Jack the car up enough to get the wheel off. Place some jack stands under there, so it doesnt fall on you head, and look at the LCA bushings and the lower BJoints. Look for loose nuts, grab the wheel/rotor and see it there is slop in the suspension. Some times i hear stuff that doesnt sound right on my car, I just turn the radio up. Out of sight, out of mind. I just wait patiently for it to brake, or work itself out.