Jeramie Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Here is a question for the mechanicaly inclined. 2005 Chevy Malibu 50k miles 4cy FWD. When I turn hard left I hear a deep moan. It sounds like the tire is tearing into the wheel well but thats not it. If I gas it the moaning stops or at least gets much better. It sounds like "Hmmmmmmmmm", really deep. It has now started doing this when I turn right too but not nearly as bad. If Im moving at say 20mph when I turn it isnt as bad. If I break and turn hard left its LOUD. The sharper I turn, the louder it is. Here is the situation: Not the brakes, already check those. I didnt see any "oil" from the CV Joints but that isnt to say im not missing something. I also dont hear a loud clicking which is typical of CV joints on the fritz. No rubbing from the tire and the tires are actually lower profile (they were on sale). I have my guess but would like some input before I start tearing into this thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad6639 Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 You might have a bent spindle, it could make noise if you were turning and its bent, that or your brake rotor could also be bent, sometimes its not so noticable when going straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 You have a bad wheel bearing Jeramie, you'll have to get the hub assembly replaced. I'm 99% sure that's what it is. I'm laying odds that it's the right front (passenger side) because when you turn left, you load up the right front bearing. Jack up the front of your car, put it in neutral. put one hand on the coil spring and roll the tire with the other. You'll be able to feel a vibration in the spring on the side that you have the bad bearing. The good side you won't feel the vibration. You'll probably also hear the growl when rolling the tire. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 good job there, shaun. if you are correct, that is... lol. i know it's hard to diagnose from a sentence, so that's really pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 bearing is what i was thinking no really i did:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 You have a bad wheel bearing Jeramie, you'll have to get the hub assembly replaced. I'm 99% sure that's what it is. I'm laying odds that it's the right front (passenger side) because when you turn left, you load up the right front bearing. Jack up the front of your car, put it in neutral. put one hand on the coil spring and roll the tire with the other. You'll be able to feel a vibration in the spring on the side that you have the bad bearing. The good side you won't feel the vibration. You'll probably also hear the growl when rolling the tire. Good luck! Three cheers for Shaun. Man, it's good to have you in this forum Shaun. Sounds like what happened to my truck a few years ago Jeramie. Guess what it was? 'Course, mine was more of a grinding sound than a moaning sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 You have a bad wheel bearing Jeramie, you'll have to get the hub assembly replaced. I'm 99% sure that's what it is. I'm laying odds that it's the right front (passenger side) because when you turn left, you load up the right front bearing. Jack up the front of your car, put it in neutral. put one hand on the coil spring and roll the tire with the other. You'll be able to feel a vibration in the spring on the side that you have the bad bearing. The good side you won't feel the vibration. You'll probably also hear the growl when rolling the tire. Good luck! geez what are you like a gm mechanic or something....:p:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bow_hunter101 Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 It definately doesn't sound like the CV joint. It could well be the wheel bearing, but mine made more of a grinding sound when it went out. I had a car that had a similar problem and come to find out it was the transmission. It only did it when I turned left. Does your engine rev at all when it happens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Would also agree with Shaun. First thought as I was reading along was a cv joint, but you say no clicking, so probably can rule out the cv joint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowin_in_illinois Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'm not a mechanic, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...lol. ...Seriously, my wife is on her second Malibu and we have found that they are infamous for brake problems...but around 50K she also had to replace one of her wheel bearings. So I would guess he is right about that, or it is a warped pad or rotor...which she has had too. We have decided her next car will not be a Malibu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 You have a bad wheel bearing Jeramie, you'll have to get the hub assembly replaced. I'm 99% sure that's what it is. I'm laying odds that it's the right front (passenger side) because when you turn left, you load up the right front bearing. Jack up the front of your car, put it in neutral. put one hand on the coil spring and roll the tire with the other. You'll be able to feel a vibration in the spring on the side that you have the bad bearing. The good side you won't feel the vibration. You'll probably also hear the growl when rolling the tire. Good luck! Youre exactly the guy I wanted to hear from. I also figured a bearing but wanted a second opinion. Does your engine rev at all when it happens? Not a drop.... It runs exactly the same. Btw, the sound could be construed as a grinding. Its just a low, deep hum. ...Seriously, my wife is on her second Malibu and we have found that they are infamous for brake problems...but around 50K she also had to replace one of her wheel bearings. So I would guess he is right about that, or it is a warped pad or rotor...which she has had too. We have decided her next car will not be a Malibu. My first thought was breaks but the rotor has a lot of life and so do the pads. Im guessing wheel bearings. My next car wont be a Malibu either. They dont do nearly as well on gas as expected. Luckily this is simply a work car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Yeah, that's easy, one of two things...... 1) The car is 41K past its reasonable life 2) You happen to be passing a Honda at the time and your car is jealous it couldn't be one! I don't have a clue. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad6639 Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Yeah, that's easy, one of two things...... 1) The car is 41K past its reasonable life 2) You happen to be passing a Honda at the time and your car is jealous it couldn't be one! I don't have a clue. New No the car was groaning at how everyone thinks they need to have an import to have a good car anymore. Gm is the only way I roll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 No the car was groaning at how everyone thinks they need to have an import to have a good car anymore. Gm is the only way I roll. That's what I'm talkin about!!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reloader Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Here is a question for the mechanicaly inclined. 2005 Chevy Malibu 50k miles 4cy FWD. When I turn hard left I hear a deep moan. It sounds like the tire is tearing into the wheel well but thats not it. If I gas it the moaning stops or at least gets much better. It sounds like "Hmmmmmmmmm", really deep. It has now started doing this when I turn right too but not nearly as bad. If Im moving at say 20mph when I turn it isnt as bad. If I break and turn hard left its LOUD. The sharper I turn, the louder it is. Here is the situation: Not the brakes, already check those. I didnt see any "oil" from the CV Joints but that isnt to say im not missing something. I also dont hear a loud clicking which is typical of CV joints on the fritz. No rubbing from the tire and the tires are actually lower profile (they were on sale). I have my guess but would like some input before I start tearing into this thing. Not sure if you already started to tear into it or anything...or if you have confirmed the problem. But in my Chevy suburban I have a leak in my power steering pump, every time it gets low the pump starts to scream when you turn. Since Chevys tend to share a master cylinder between brakes and powersteering, mine screams louder when I use the brakes especialy if I use both at the same time, like you mention. Hitting the gas boosts the power to the pump and quiets the scream. As soon as it starts doing that I add more power steering fluid and it goes away. Yours moy not be low fluid like mine but could be a bad pump. From the description of the sound it is exactly how I would describe mine, sounds like the truck is dieing right then and there...and even if that isn't the problem, it is a lot easier to fix first...or at least check:D, either a bad pump or low fluid. If that isn't the problem then move on to the bearings and such everyone else pointed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 Not sure if you already started to tear into it or anything...or if you have confirmed the problem. But in my Chevy suburban I have a leak in my power steering pump, every time it gets low the pump starts to scream when you turn. Since Chevys tend to share a master cylinder between brakes and powersteering, mine screams louder when I use the brakes especialy if I use both at the same time, like you mention. Hitting the gas boosts the power to the pump and quiets the scream. As soon as it starts doing that I add more power steering fluid and it goes away. Yours moy not be low fluid like mine but could be a bad pump. From the description of the sound it is exactly how I would describe mine, sounds like the truck is dieing right then and there...and even if that isn't the problem, it is a lot easier to fix first...or at least check:D, either a bad pump or low fluid. If that isn't the problem then move on to the bearings and such everyone else pointed out. Those Malibu's have electric power steering, no hydraulic pumps involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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