2002 Pontiac Grand Prix bearing or CV joint noise

STANS429

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
81,000 MILES

My 2002 Grand Prix has been making a noise from the front end. This noise is similar to a knobby tire rolling down the road. The noise seems to start at about 15 mph and is constant with the wheel rotation, it also gets louder as you go faster. When at a speed of about 40 mph a slight turn of the wheel from a straight path will change the intensity of the noise. I do not notice any clunk at acceleration but the change when turning has me curious. I have rotated the tires to see if it was some sort of tire issue but this did not alter the situation. I know to diagnose bearing versus cv from this description may be difficult.
Thanks Stan

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Raise car, put on stands. Grasp tire and push/pull both horizontally and vertically, if any movement then bearing, ball joint, control arm bushing, or tie rod end.

CV joints usually fail when the boot gets cut from road debris and the lubricant leaks out. Inspect the boots for cuts and grease leaking.
CV joint failure generally will make noise like "clicking" especially in turns, while bearing noise is usually constant.

Smart move checking the tires, they can make the noise you are describing, so you have elimanated that as a problem.