Noise ONLY when turning left

[iExcel]

My 2005 Pontiac Grand AM started to make some noise ONLY when turning left. The noise is somewhat clunky like something is loose and touches something else.

The noise is intermittent and doesn't seem to have a pattern. However, most of the times, it occurs when I make a left turn and the road is bumpy. There is no noise at all if turning right or going straight.

I had the right outer tie rod replaced and that didn't seem to be the culprit.

I checked brakes and they looked fine. Struts seem OK, too, as they don't make noise when going over speed bumps.

What else could it be ? TIA.

 

[2oldtommy]

My guess would be CV joint. When they are beginning to go, they usually start making noise when you turn in one direction or the other. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[The_Jeff]

Could still be your brakes, pry the pads out and stick 'em back in. See if they're sticky.

Could also be a wheel bearing.

 

[scurvy]

Clicking or clunking would likely be a CV joint. Groaning or growling is typically a wheel bearing.

 

[BIGJ552000]

Ball joint? On my wife's maxima that was what it was. I would at least check that first

 

[OtisBlkR1]

+1 on the CV Been through that several times.

 

[Topo]

Maybe you should change the left outer tie rod, since the noise is coming from the left side. I had that sound before and it was the outer tie rod.

 

[iExcel]

Originally Posted By: Topo
Maybe you should change the left outer tie rod, since the noise is coming from the left side. I had that sound before and it was the outer tie rod.
i checked the invoice and actually both were replaced.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: iExcel

The noise is intermittent and doesn't seem to have a pattern. However, most of the times, it occurs when I make a left turn and the road is bumpy. There is no noise at all if turning right or going straight.


I'm 99.99% sure you need to change the front center transmission mount and
possibly the right engine mount. Try changing the front center mount first.

 

[iExcel]

Thanks for all the replies.

My wife usually drives this car. Anyway, this morning, I drove it to work and could hear the noise when going straight over some deep dips on a parking lot. I was able to reproduce the noise over those dips (those with sewer drains).

Also, I noticed that the noise tends to occur when approaching the end of a left turn. Say, when making a left turn, the noise typically doesn't occur until the car almost goes into the lane. I'd roughly estimate it occurs at the last 1/3 of the turning curve. It seems that there is a particular angle when the noise happens most likely.

The noise was creaky, I would say.

 

[Doog]

CVJ

 

[sgvaibhav]

i have it when i turn towards right.

all my research showed CV joints.

when i gave it to garage, they told, the clips are broken and grease is leaking. they refilled grease and put new clips. but noise is still there.

 

[iExcel]

OK. My wife cycled the transmission from Park to Reverse and through all the gears while I took the following video. Is the engine movement considered OK or indicating a motor mount/transmission mount problem? Thanks Merkava_4 for the trick.

 

[artificialist]

That amount of movement looks normal, so it is unlikely to be an engine or transmission mount.

 

[iExcel]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
That amount of movement looks normal, so it is unlikely to be an engine or transmission mount.

I also asked her to step on gas while in Parking and I didn't notice any movement. I guess the motor mount should be fine.

I'll see if I can record the noise tomorrow on that parking lot.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:
noise ONLY when turning left.


Quote:
The noise is somewhat clunky like something is loose and touches something else.


Quote:
The noise is intermittent and doesn't seem to have a pattern.


Quote:
occurs when I make a left turn and the road is bumpy.


Quote:
There is no noise at all if turning right or going straight.



Those are all the exact same symptoms I had.

 

[Merkava_4]

UPDATE ?

Did you get the car checked?

What did you find out?