i have a 97 cavalier that has an awful growling noise from the front end,
the noise sounds just like super swamper mud tires but louder, to the point it hurts the ears and cant hardly hear the radio no matter how loud you turn it up.
the noise is deceptive as to the actual location,
i have been told it is quite possibly a bearing in the transmission (the person claimed it was common)
i have changed tires, rims and even the wheel bearing on the drivers side and inspected the passenger side and found them to be in decent shape.
when i turn to the right the sound goes away, when i turn left it does not change.
the car drives great it does not pull dart or jerk, all the front end is tight it is actually a low mileage car for the year (might just now be hitting 100,000)

any suggestions or ideas, i would greatly appreciate it, thanks for your help.

 

power steering pump is shot more then likely... have it checked.

 

just to give more details the pump works fine, does not whine or growl, car steers great no loose or tight spots, when the car is stopped there is NO noise, when the car is in motion it is all noise, at 10 MPH i can hear it at 50 i can hear it and at 70 i can hear it, faster i go the louder it gets. turning right the noise is "Completely" gone.

what should i check about the power steering pump ? do you mean the pump might be making the noise? or causing the noise somewhere in the mix?
just looking for the reasoning on the power steering pump.
im all ears all the way, its our last usable ride that isnt a garage kept vehicle.
were like the rest of the middle income families right now (cant afford a garage mechanic) so all help is greatly appreciated, and thanks for your response as well.
at this point im ready to check the spare tire in the trunk if that moves this process forward.... thanks for the help. looking for all the suggestions and ideas i can get until i get this problem resolved.

 

Sounds like the right side bearing. When you turn right the weight swings to the left side unloading the bearing so it goes quiet. Check front right wheel bearing/hub bearing.

 

thanks Deteoni that is what i originally suspected however my doubts stem from past experience from my sunfire which has the same problem, it has had both bearings replaced, the tires were replaced and the front end aligned. and it still growls.. lol..
i plan to try it this weekend if my paycheck/bills allow, i just hate to spend a hundred bucks to have the same problem but at this point i have no other choice, it has to be done so i know for sure. and of course so i know my family isnt in any danger from this thing.

i appreciate the help, if i do get the noise gone ill be sure to run right over and announce my happiness.. thanks everyone.

 

I have a 98 and 02 sunfire where the cv axles where going haywire and making a hell of a noise. check the boots for cracks or loose banding. it could be the bearings are shot on one of them. hope this helps