Maybe someone has arleady covered this but I couldn't find it anywhere. A couple of weeks ago my car started making this loud rubbing noise when I turn my steering wheel to the left even the slightest little bit. It's noticable at around 20 mph and up. I can even feel the vibration from it in my floor board. I've changed my rotors because I thought that might have something to do with it since they we're pretty grooved but that wasn't it. So if anyone has any ideas, please let me know cause I'm pretty lost right now. Thanks!

I have almost the same problem only on my car it is when I turn right. I noticed mine right after someone hit my car on the left side. After all the repairs it sounded like it was rubbing when I turned right. The guys who fixed my car told me it had nothing to do with the accident, but they couldn't figure out the problem. However, the other day I found out that my driver's side CV boot is torn. This might be causing my problem. You might want to check your boots. That may be the problem. I'm replaceing my whole half shaft next week. I'll let you know if it fixes the rubbing.


03 Ecotec

I had a similar problem in my old car ('96 lumina) after I dropped the passenger side in a ditch one day (that's a different story...).

Turns out it was a wheel bearing. It would get quiet when I turned right (weight came off the pass side) and louder when i would turn left (weight went on the pass. side more)

I doubt it has anything to do with brakes, and Helchez, especially since you got hit, bearings are probably the case. Fixing the CV is not a bad idea either, or at least checking it out, but since the noise fluctuates based on load, it would point to a load-carrying bearing (hopefully that makes more sense than load-bearing bearing..basically it would be any bearing on that side that supports the weight of that corner of the car)

Moa804: does it get quieter when you turn to the right (and are moving forward - shifting the weight off of the pass side)?


Is it a relatively constant noise as you hold the steering wheel at a constant angle and drive foward?

And finally: Does the frequency of the noise increase as you drive faster?

If you can answer yes to all of those questions, then either one or both of your wheel bearings is probably hosed on the passenger side. (reverse the directions for the drivers side)

You can also take the car to any reputable mechanic, and he should be able to diagnose it as well. Wheel bearings are not cheap ($180 for the right rear on my lumina, no clue how much one would be for the J's), and can be a pain to install, especially up front.

First of all it's a '96 cav, if that makes any difference? It only does it if I turn my wheel even the slightest little bit to the left but if my wheel is straight or if I'm turning to the right, it is normal. It gets louder and vibrates harder as I go faster. And when I get to about 60 mph or higher my car starts to shake like the balance or alignment is off. I'm no tsure if the rubbing has anything to do with that or not. And the noise is consistant, and the further left I turn my wheels, the harder and louder it gets. So I guess yes to all of the above.

check the plastic inner fender covers not touching wheel. the raise the car in the air by the body, both wheel hanging off the ground ( 2 jack stands). turn outside wheel left and right and look at spring travel. it has to be free and easy. if binding change upper mounts. if stiff , disconnect both outer tie rods. if free change rack and pinion steering. if still binding change ball joint.

The first thing I did, about two weeks ago, was put the car on stands and checked everything you just mentioned. The fender guards are fine, and the wheels turn freely. I just had the rack and pinion recall done on my car thinking that might have been the problem but it's still doing it.

BINGO ALWAYS GO BACK TO ORGINAL INSTALL. DEALER COME BACK PROBLEM. MAKE THEM FIX IT.

As for the busted CV boot mentioned previously, your rubbing noise is most likely the boot rubbing. I've had this happen a few times, and since there is very little clearance the boot will rub up agains a number of things including sway bar ends, ball joint pins, and transmission mount.

moa - the first thing I would check is tire balance. Sometimes those little weights they put on the inside of the wheel will fall off, and wheel is no longer balanced.

Second thing would be the wheel bearing, but usually when you hear a "rubbing" sound it means the wheel bearing is about to explode (or has exploded already). This would be very easy to find 'cause your brake caliper would be the only thing holding the wheel on. A slightly bad wheel bearing would make more of a high-pitched squeel. Just grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to wiggle it.

Next, check the power steering fluid, then the pump. It may be that the sound happens after the power steering system has warmed up, and the viscosity of the fluid changes and debris in the system becomes more separated. Check the fluid level and color.

If you still can't figure it out, check the rear drum brakes. Take the drums off, clean everything out completely with brake cleaner and put it back together. Drum brakes will start to sound like rock tumblers if they haven't been cleaned for a while.

The last thing I would check is the halfshafts (front axles). I assume you already checked the CV boots. Now check the connection to the transmission. Get under the car and try to yank the two shafts out of the gear box with your hands. Next try to push them to the side. If there is any movement, you might have an issue with a oil seal or the transmission output gears.

And if you STILL can't find it.... I'm sure I can come up with some more BS to try

- Ken

'99 Z24, Manual

Ken:
I haven't had a chance to get the balance checked to see if that's the problem, but it seems like rubbing/vibrating noise is a little heavy to be just the balance. I tried to wiggle the wheel before you said anything and it didn't move. The power sterring fluid level is fine but I don't believe I have added to it or changed it since I had the car. I'm not sure what would be normal as far as the color goes. The CV boots aren't damaged, and the shfts don't move.

I have tried everything that I can think of and I can't come up with anything. So if anyone else has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I'm just trying to avoid taking my car to the shop because I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for something that I can do myself (If I ever find the problem anyway). Thanks
-M.O.A.

About a month ago I had the same problem on my 2005 cavy that i had just bought I took it back into the dealer and they told me it was the rack and pinion leaking power steering fluid, check that out and see what you can find...if its low then your leaking power steering fluid from somwhere that will cause that noise.


16" Pacer rims for Sale, e-mail me at jupter8@hotmail.com for pictures.

I checked the power sterring fluid a couple of days ago and it was full but it was pretty dark, so today I'm going to take down the lines and drain the fluid to check and make sure there's no debris in the lines. If this isn't the problem, then I don't know what to do. I might have to go ahead and take it to the shop I guess.

I have a torn CV boot and all the grease has come out of it. I plan on changing it this week, but i haven't had the noise untill the boot was torn. My conclusion is that it is the cv axle.

moa... if it is the power steering fluid, you should be able to recreate the noise without moving the car. Turn the car on and wait about 20 minutes (or go for a drive) to get everything to heat up. Now park somewhere (leave the car running) and just turn the steering wheel one way then the other a few times, then return to center and turn slightly in each direction, holding the wheel for a few seconds each time. If you're wheels are having trouble turning (or digging a hole in the driveway) you can try jacking the front end of the car up so the wheels are off the ground and try it.

Do this till you get bored (at least 10 minutes or however long you usually drive the car before it happens). If you don't hear the noise this whole time, I highly doubt it is anything to do with your steering.

- Ken

'99 Z24, Manual

Wheel bearing. 99% sure.

I had the same humming/rubbing/moaning sound sometimes at speeds as slow as 10mph depending on how the car was feeling.

New wheel bearing for $60 at autozone = no more sound. It was my driver side bearing btw.




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bringing up a very old subject because in having the same problem. I changed the wheel hub, halfshaft, changed the transmission fluid, no tears in the cv boot still noise. any ideas what it might be?