I hear a thump thump thump when I drive on the front passanger side. I replaced the front rotor and the brake pads thinking it was a warped rotor. Now I think it might be the half-shaft... but before I spend $60 for one I figured I would get some input from you guys.
Bad strut or strut mount? Half shafts normally make a clicking sound when they are bad.
My bad strut mounts make a... hmm creaking noise.. not like a squeaky bed, that's usually a sign of bad ball joints.
I'm thinking it's your wheel bearing.
When my wheel bearing went bad, it made a noise similar to what I'd call a truck driving on asphalt with mud tires.
Others have described it as a grinding, or gear noise.
Either way, the noise usually wouldn't start until about 20mph.
In the beginning, it would only do this on turns (changing lanes, or turning corners) Later on as it got worse, it did it while I would drive straight, and would only stop when I was under 20mph, or when turning the opposite way.
I know it's JUST a Cavalier, and I'm sorry if I hurt your ego.