Right turn howling

At speeds over 40-50 mph whenever I make the slightest turn of the steering wheel to the right I get a howling noise. Going straight or any turn to the left on the wheel and no noise. Wish I could be more specific but would this be a wheel bearing or CV joint problem? I really can't localize where the noise is coming from. Thanks for any advice.

Kurt V
72 911E

definately a running gear problem

Jack you car up on one side and grab your front tire to check for play and listen for any grinding noises while spinning tire, then check your rear Cv or Lobero joints by grabbing the axle shaft and checking for play

Also check the rear wheel bearings the same way, a worn CV or Lobero joint usually will make a knocking noise so Id suspect a bearing

[This message has been edited by jryerson (edited 10-19-2000).]

Bad CV joints, in my experience, make two noises. Inboard ones tend to vibrate or shudder under load, but the most commone noise bad CV joints make is clicking. You have described neither noise.

The noise you described is a bad wheel bearing, I am convinced. My further guess is that it is a front bearing, but this is guesswork. Jryerson is quite correct in the next steps to take. Jack up the front of the car and spin the wheels with your hand. Of course, the brakes will be rubbing very slightly, but there shoudl otherwise be NO NOISE. It should be like butter. The rears can be checked the same way, but tranny parts turn with the wheel, so it's a little harder to tell back there.

Anyway, bad wheel bearing is my diagnosis. Jryerson is also correct in that front wheels should be checked for looseness. There should be basically no detectable play. Or almost none. If either front wheel is detectably loose, this should be handled and it is quite easy. Anyway, I think you have a bad bearing. No big deal.

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'83 SC

I agree with Super that it is a front wheel bearing, because of your description of any 'slightest turn' ... the front end of a 911 has such low mass that a front wheel can be completely unloaded (picked-up) in a 15 mph turn ... and the direct connection of the struts to the upper mount assures that any bearing noise gets amplified through the body structure and easily heard!

Rather than trying to diagnose which bearing it is, I suggest that you remove and clean both sides, and you will most likely find at least one of the four front bearings damaged when you clean them. If there are pitted or scratched rollers or races that can be felt with a fingernail, or any dark blue or black discoloration, then replace the questionable bearing! The bearings and grease seals are 'standard' sizes that any industrial bearing supply house wil have in stock ... you don't have to worry about having to order 'special Porsche bearings' ... you will need to plan on having to remove the front calipers and having to bleed the brakes, since the fluid lines have to be broken to remove the caliper. Flare-nut wrenches MUST be used on the brake lines to prevent damage to the fittings! Use a high quality grease like SWEPCO 101 and future bearing problems will not bother you again!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Thanks for the info! I'll be checking out the wheel bearings this weekend!

Kurt V
72 911E