I suspect a done wheel bearing, but it only does this under load. For example, turning. It's a mild grinding noise, I suppose it could be brake related though but I haven't driven hard since I replaced the brakes a year ago, but how would I figure out if the wheel bearing is bad?

 

raise up the car, grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to wiggle it fore and aft. if it does, your bearing is toast. ~$115 for a timken hub assembly at autozone. takes 20 minutes to install, you need a 32 or 34mm (?) socket to remove the nut.

 

Cool! An opportunity to buy another tool?

 

If its the *front hub*, you only need 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm sockets and wrenches. The lower arm ball joint is the hardest part of the job. The hubs I've seen come as a one-piece assembly.

The rear hub uses the big monster...29mm IIRC but I'd have to go look at my 3/4" drive tools and those are almost 1000 miles away for the moment...

Check the brakes and brake shield first. I once had a brake shield that would be pressed against the disc only at full lock. Drove me nuts trying to find the noise...

Barry

 

Actually, I replaced the lower ball joint a year ago, those were pretty easy with the help of Mr. Deadblow. I think I also have the brake shield problem because I get a weird grind at full lock, perhaps that is part of the problem?

Also, I need to replace my exhaust hangers, they're mushy like pudding.

 

Sounds like a wheel bearing. At work when I go on test drives to check for wheel bearings I turn the wheel back and forth. If only one bearing is bad the grinding will happen one way, but not the other. Do exactly what KFJ said. While your in there check out the rest of your ball joints and tie rods.

 

NM, I figured it out. It's my stupid exhaust as it swings one way or another and rattles against all hell and creation. My hangers are all mushy and it will settle against the tranny and vibrate making the weird noise. It resonates across the driver's side and makes ugliness!