Click/gravel like sound from left front wheel

GARRICK CLARK SR.

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
3.4L
V6
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Hey guys, first time posting here. Any help is greatly appreciated. My car has a very light click, or gravel like sound coming from left front wheel. I have only been able to notice it when the sound bounces off something like a building, curb or guardrail. Only at very low speeds. Wind/engine noise is too loud to hear it out of first gear really. I do have a bad wheel hub on that side. I am not sure if it is front, or rear. I do not notice any rubber boots leaking at axle, and it does not make a difference if I am turning or going straight. Still hear the sound. The sound seems to rotate with the wheel, if that makes sense. I swear it almost sounds like little metal balls, or beads moving with the rotation of the wheel. I am praying it is the bearing, and not the CV axle. Figured I would try asking the community. Thank you.

6 Replies

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

Does it stop when you push the brakes? Because to me that sounds similar to the sound of brake pads being ground down to the metal. If it was the bearing, most likely it would change with turning left and right and probably get louder with speed.

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Saturday, August 26th, 2017 AT 7:22 PM

STEVE W.

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Wheel bearings generally make a roaring sound as they fail and get louder the faster you go.
Is it a rhythmic tick that speeds up as the tire speed increases? That could be something like a screw/bolt stuck in the tire/tread.
It could also be a worn inner tri-pot joint, those make the same sound regardless of steering angle. That could be aggravated by a bad wheel bearing, because the bearing would not be turning smoothly.

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Saturday, August 26th, 2017 AT 8:39 PM

GARRICK CLARK SR.

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It does not seem to stop when I hit the brakes. There is definitely a loud wheel hub roar on the left side for several months now. I know it is that side because the roar comes from the left, and it gets louder when I make a right turn. How would I check the tri pot joint? I can see it is part of the CV joint. Would I just lift the car, and spin the wheel to listen for the sound? Thank you guys for answering back!

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Sunday, August 27th, 2017 AT 11:49 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,475 POSTS

The tri pot is the inner joint. Jack both wheels off the ground and put jack stands under the subframe so the suspension can droop down. Now either spin it by hand or start the engine put it in gear, and listen for the tick. If it's a bad inner joint it should get louder with the suspension un-sprung because it's at a steeper angle. It would be a good idea to also verify which hub is bad. The sound can fool you depending on the design of the hub.

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Sunday, August 27th, 2017 AT 4:27 PM

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

In my experience, a roaring wheel bearing will cause a solid vibration in the floorboard nearest the offending bearing. I've had a couple of wheel bearings go bad on me over the years and that's what I've found. Honestly, I'd get that taken care of, take it for a ride, and see what it feels/sounds like. And then start with checking the tri pot. Just my opinion.