This noise started all of a sudden very recently. I have an '01 Cavalier and it was doing fine until last summer. I've had squeeling when I turn the wheel to the left that my brother (who works on cars) has deemed as a problem with power steering, but told me it should be fine for the time being (when I am in a financial crisis). This noise I'm experiencing now started as only happening when I turned my wheel the other direction. It then began to do it when I hit the brakes, and this morning when I pulled into a the parking lot at my college, it did it while I was driving straight.

The noise sounds like metal against metal almost. It only really makes this noise after I drive for a while, like a half hour or so.

My brother and I live a little ways from each other, so I've been trying to get to him. But does anyone have insight on what's going on with my car?

 

if it's a metal grinding sound, i'd say your brakes are shot. could be wheel bearings maybe, but typically those make noise constantly. if it's more of a clatter or tap-tap-tap sound, i'd suspect cv joint(s). start with the brakes first tho.

 

x2 on those brakes. Take it to a brake shop, most offer a free inspection.