Grinding noise when taking left turns

TheCooler · 11-29-2003, 02:31 PM

I get a loud grinding noise when taking lefts. Only lefts. My tie rod ends are beat and the left side is MORE beat so is that my problem or could it be my cv joints starting to die? Or could it be my rotors? It didnt make this noise when i got the car. It SEEMS to be coming from the front left wheel but I could be mistaken. Tie rod ends or what?

Roger Hall · 11-29-2003, 03:56 PM

I had a similar problem and I replaced the CV's but it turned out to be the clutch.

83_P_944 · 11-29-2003, 10:03 PM

Howdy,
I had the same problem. You need to replace the wheel bearings (Inner, outer, and two seals). It'll cost $60.00 in parts (from NAPA) to do each wheel. I fixed the bad one on one weekend and then the other one a few weeks later. Don't wait very long to fix it because you could lose your tire and maybe more.
To make sure this is the problem, 1) Look at the rear of the car. Is one tire at a slant? 2) Jack up the car and pull on both sides of the tire. Does it move (swivel) or is it tight? 3) Does the car sway side to side when you accelerate?
If you've answered yes to the questions, that's probably your problem. While you've got her up in the air, check your CV boots to see if they're in good shape (not cracked).
Make sure you have a strong "clip ring removal tool". The book says to compress the bearings in, but you can use a 2" diameter pipe to CAREFULLY tap them in.
Good luck to you, sir. I hope this helps. 83_P_944

83_P_944 · 11-29-2003, 10:08 PM

p.s. Another way to see if they're your wheel bearings is to turn the wheel left and right while driving down the road. If it grinds one way and not the other, I'd say the bearings are shot.
I sure hope it's not your CV transaxles. If so, you can pick them up at Auto Zone for $90-$100 each. 83_P_944

gobogie · 12-01-2003, 09:24 PM

Ck wheel bearings first as instructed by 83_p_944 (it's the cheapest route to go first). CV's are more expensive and should be check 2nd if you're on a budget and a do it at home mechanic like me.

Dad always said "start with cheapest part first" :-)

TCMdocs944 · 12-02-2003, 11:13 AM

Don't drive on bad bearings if you can help it....gets much more expensive..

I know from experience on another car

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

CV's don't grind. They click and thump. Also they are in the back of the car not the front.

Wheel bearings. Check both the front and the rear. If one wheel is bad so are the other three.

overkill · 12-02-2003, 03:11 PM

Bearings are bad bro,... Don't drive on them ****s,... they will heat up and fuse baby!

TheCooler · 12-05-2003, 09:28 AM

Its my right front from hitting a curb when someone almost hit me. It probably got cockeyed. Ill need to replace that one. Im sure the others are fine. Ill do it tomorrow.... can it be done without a press? What is the procedure to do this repair?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Could be everything from the spindle to the strut housing and the wheel. Or all of the above.

Could be just the back sheet metal cover that's bent.