So I have this low pitch pulsating noise coming from one of my wheels, possibly the front right. It sounds like a really faint grinding, I can feel it through the e-brake or with my leg pressed against the tranny tunnel if i concentrate on it. Its frequency is dependent on speed. It is most noticeable at around 30-40 mph and goes away below that and at high speeds. Could it be a wheel bearing wearing out? I did a search and the only descriptions of bad wheel bearings were a constant grind. My noise pulsates, could this be the early stages of a worn bearing? Maybe alignment? I thought it might be a warped rotor but I get zero vibration under braking. Any suggestions? How do i check for worn bearings on a GSL-SE?

 

Best bet would be to pull apart and check

 

Its a wheel bearing. I would fix it asap cause it is possible for it to lock up or ruin your spindle. Both very bad.

 

A bad wheel bearing can make the noise you describe. However, the grinding noise is usually noticed when making a turn and will go away once the car is centered and it will grind everytime you turn the wheel regardless of speed. What you have sounds more like a driveshaft u-joint going bad. A u-joint going bad will usually only occur at certain speeds (between 30-40 mph like your are experiencing) and will go away below or above that speed range. Another indication to me that it's a driveshaft u-joint is that you can feel it through your trans tunnel/E-brake assy.

 

o man, i never considered that one. it doesnt make any sound while turning. id really hate to drop a driveshaft while im driving. any tips on verifying its my u-joint?

 

My Buick was weird, the bad wheel bearing would grind while going straight down the road but it'd be silent if I was banking right. Really odd.

Either way bearings/hubs aren't too difficult and while the spindle CAN lock up, it takes a very very bad bearing for that to happen.

 

Mine was making some noise, so I jacked up the front end and spun the wheels. Left front sounded shitty! Took it apart, yup, shitty. New bearings ordered!

 

guess im gonna jack up the car and check out the bearings this weekend. i hope its the bearings as a new driveshaft would be a more expensive repair.

feel free to post more opinions/experiences, thanks to all those who provided input so far.

 

sounds like you've never looked at your bearings. tear them both apart clean and regrease. You will have a much better feeling knowing that they are freshened up.

 

yeah i have all the tools and just got some new grease. i just got the car recently, i work full time and have limited garage space since i live in an apartment. ill be taking a look at the bearings this weekend. id like to pinpoint the problem first before i start buying replacement parts. just on here looking for some experienced suggestions. thanks for the idea.

 

Check the bearing play first. On my car, the PO let that go and it caused tire cupping.
I got Timken bearings cheap at Rock Auto and did the job a couple weeks ago. Easy job. There was still some noise from the tire cupping, so I mounted a new set the other day and all is well.

 

good luck

 

good luck again! ( post whoring )

 

it was a wheel bearing, kinda weird that it never made noise while turning, only going straight...

 

Never seen a wheel bearing make a "puslating" noise. That is completely indicative of driveline issues.

Grinding when turning, constant noise, or short quick sqwalk sounds yeah. But a pulse like it comes in weak, gets strong, then fades - repeat. That's driveline.

 

Driveshaft was fine, removed and inspected, tranny is rebuilt, no metal in the diff fluid, when I changed the bearings in the front the noise went away... weird right?

 

Totally.