Vibrating noise only when turning left

[Nayr747]

It has been happening for around a year or so. Only happens when turning left (even slightly), and goes away when straight or turning right. And it only happens (or I can only tell it's happening) at speeds above about 45 mph. It's a noise/vibration that fades in and out about every 2 seconds at 45 mph, and increases frequency as the vehicle speed increases to maybe once every 1-1.5 seconds. It is sort of like: WWwwwaaaawwwWWwwaaa... I can't really tell which side of the car it is coming from. The steering wheel also slightly vibrates at highway speeds in (I think) all turning/not turning conditions.

I was told by a shop that it was caused by the wheels/tires not being balanced correctly. So I got the two fronts ballanced and no change (took a sh*tload of weights though--like 14 on the right wheel). I have thought about the (right?) wheel bearing going bad, but from what I've read it should be making a grinding sound not a vibration, and shouldn't change when turning left/right. I haven't jacked the car up and checked for play in the wheel yet, but will do that tonight or tomorrow. I've also thought about one of the axles being bent, but I don't know how to check for this.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[1992awdlaser]

If it only happens when turning left it is most likely your right front wheel bearing.

 

[knochgoon24]

How to check:

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Left-right checks tie rods, up-down checks wheel bearing. Just jack the car up, you can leave the tire on.

 

[1992awdlaser]

How to check:

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Left-right checks tie rods, up-down checks wheel bearing. Just jack the car up, you can leave the tire on.

Two things.

1. That should be done with the wheel on because some people will mistake the rotor moving for play. And with the wheel on you will feel the play if there is any. With the wheel off it is possible you won't feel play depending on how loose the part is.

2. Wheel bearings don't always have play when they are bad. The wheel bearing can still make noise without having play. So doing that wouldn't show this.

To check for noise have the car off the ground and in neutral put your weak hand on the coil spring. And spin the wheel, as if you were driving, with your other hand. If the bearing is making noise you will feel a rumbling in the coil spring.

Edit: Just noticed you mentioned leaving the tire on. But what i said will explain why to leave it on. So I will leave what I put.

 

[knochgoon24]

Two things.

1. That should be done with the wheel on because some people will mistake the rotor moving for play. And with the wheel on you will feel the play if there is any. With the wheel off it is possible you won't feel play depending on how loose the part is.

2. Wheel bearings don't always have play when they are bad. The wheel bearing can still make noise without having play. So doing that wouldn't show this.

To check for noise have the car off the ground and in neutral put your weak hand on the coil spring. And spin the wheel, as if you were driving, with your other hand. If the bearing is making noise you will feel a rumbling in the coil spring.

Edit: Just noticed you mentioned leaving the tire on. But what i said will explain why to leave it on. So I will leave what I put.

My method is a good basic check. For most people with a bad wheel bearing this will work. I've had 2 wheel bearings go bad, and this has worked to check both of those. Just going from my experience. I guess your method is more thorough.

 

[1992awdlaser]

My method is a good basic check. For most people with a bad wheel bearing this will work. I've had 2 wheel bearings go bad, and this has worked to check both of those. Just going from my experience. I guess your method is more thorough.

I wasn't trying to make it like that doesn't work. That will work every time if there is play. The reason I mentioned the coil spring routine is because sometimes bearings make noise without having play. The coil spring routine is the way to check for a noisy bearing.

 

[Nayr747]

Alright , I'll give these a try tonight.

To check for noise have the car off the ground and in neutral put your weak hand on the coil spring. And spin the wheel, as if you were driving, with your other hand. If the bearing is making noise you will feel a rumbling in the coil spring.

So would the fact that it only happens when turning left effect this at all since I can't simulate turning left with the test?

 

[1992awdlaser]

Alright , I'll give these a try tonight.



So would the fact that it only happens when turning left effect this at all since I can't simulate turning left with the test?

You should still be able to feel it.

 

[Nayr747]

Checked for vibration on the spring while rotating the wheel in neutral, but couldn't feel any. I somehow forgot to check for play in the wheels though. So I might jack it up again tonight if I get time. So does this rule out the wheel bearing or should I still get that checked?

 

[Nayr747]

Well, there doesn't seem to be any up-down or side to side movement of the front wheels. I guess I'm kind of at a loss for what could be wrong with it. Could the rears be at fault?

 

[knochgoon24]

It wouldn't hurt to check.