Rubbing noise in the right frontend

[gopaperless]

I have a 2002 LS V8. If I make a left turn and accelerate, there is a sound like something rubbing against the treads of the tire (the front right side). Doesn't do it if I coast through the turn. I checked the wheel well and there is nothing that could be rubbing. I can push the top if the tire and feel and hear a little movement. I immediately thought wheel bearing although there isn't any noise while going straight. Went to get the part and the parts guy said that it could be a ball joint because wheel bearings make noise when you go straight. I inspected the lower ball joint on that wheel and the boot looks great. Any thoughts? Could I have a bad wheel bearing that only makes noise when I turn?

 

[RigsLS]

Just for fun, try grabbing a straight ol screw driver and via the spokes of the wheel, poke push probe at the front brake dust cover. See if you can push it inwards a bit and see if the noise subsides. It's a possibility, not sure if you had brake work or that same wheel off as of recent. Also be sure your inside plastic wheel well shroud is not hanging low. Possibly one or two of the clips let go causing it to hang lower then normal.

If you have a bad wheel bearing, it will make changes in the noise as you drive it down the road and swerve it gently from one side to the other side.

as in, take a long right hand sweeper, then straight, then a long left turn and the noise should change.

Wheel bearings do indeed make noise even when going in a straight line ... we call those "neglected" bad wheel bearings.

 

[gopaperless]

Thanks. I give that a shot when I back it out of the garage this morning. I replaced the pad and rotors about a year ago. Did the work myself. The reason I was leaning toward bearing or ball joint was because there was some movement in that wheel when I push on the top if it. The others don't have any movement.

I appreciate all the help.

 

[FDR]

There should be no movement top to bottom. If you take the wheel off, you should be able to tell whether it's a bad bearing or ball joint by doing the same push/pull tests

 

[gopaperless]

There should be no movement top to bottom. If you take the wheel off, you should be able to tell whether it's a bad bearing or ball joint by doing the same push/pull tests

Found it... The upper ball joint is the problem. I can hold the joint and feel it move when someone pushes the top of the tire. Sorry... I should have figured it out on my own.

Next question... I can get the control arm with the ball joint at a fair price. Its it as easy as it looks to install or should I take it to my mechanic? He wants $450 to do the job on just that one side.

 

[RigsLS]

Too much. The passenger side is the easy side compared to the drivers side. Too much! Perhaps call one of those mobile mechanics that are more reasonable in price.

Shop around, that guy is trying to snow job you! it's not a days worth of labor that's for sure.

 

[don-ohio]

Check the drivers'side also GoP,it probably has some looseness. Best to do both if ANY play. My Mustang has bad lowers. If I ever get time................LOL! don-ohio ^)