front end growling

[findlay]

While driving my manual transmission dual speed 4WD 89 GL wagon in the
snow today I slid across the road and slammed my front right wheel
into a curb. The rim impacted against the concrete almost flat on,
but when the front wheels were turned to the left. The rim got dented
really bad, but it didn't break the tire seal. Fortunately I had a
spare tire with a good rim to replace it with. Now the steering wheel
alignment is off by about pi/20 or 9 degrees to the left from where it
was before although this could be caused by the new tire.

The problem I'm having now is a quasi periodic growling noise when I
drive down the road. It does not correspond to either engine or road
speed. It happens whether I'm driving in 2 or 4 wheel drive. At
first I thought I might have broken the engine or transmission mounts
but they look fine. I checked the struts, control arms, sway bar, tie
rods, and motor mount and none of them look bent or damaged. I also
bounced the car up and down and sideways on the ground and didn't hear
anything. The transmission and clutch both appear to be unaffected as
well. What could be causing this somewhat loud growling noise?


Justin

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

While driving my manual transmission dual speed 4WD 89 GL wagon in the
snow today I slid across the road and slammed my front right wheel
into a curb. The rim impacted against the concrete almost flat on,
but when the front wheels were turned to the left. The rim got dented
really bad, but it didn't break the tire seal. Fortunately I had a
spare tire with a good rim to replace it with. Now the steering wheel
alignment is off by about pi/20 or 9 degrees to the left from where it
was before although this could be caused by the new tire.

The problem I'm having now is a quasi periodic growling noise when I
drive down the road. It does not correspond to either engine or road
speed. It happens whether I'm driving in 2 or 4 wheel drive. At
first I thought I might have broken the engine or transmission mounts
but they look fine. I checked the struts, control arms, sway bar, tie
rods, and motor mount and none of them look bent or damaged. I also
bounced the car up and down and sideways on the ground and didn't hear
anything. The transmission and clutch both appear to be unaffected as
well. What could be causing this somewhat loud growling noise?


Justin

Does the sound change any when taking 'sweeping' turns to left or right?
bad wheel bearings will often sound worse when turning 'away' from
their side of the car due to force transfer.

Carl

 

[findlay]

Does the sound change any when taking 'sweeping' turns to left or right?
  bad wheel bearings will often sound worse when turning 'away' from
their side of the car due to force transfer.

That was it. Thank you Mr Carl Texan. I should have known from the
'growling' noise, but that it was intermittent threw me off.
Fortunately I had a spare pair of wheel bearings that are still good,
so all this cost me was 8 rags and 3 hours.


Justin

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

That was it. Thank you Mr Carl Texan. I should have known from the
'growling' noise, but that it was intermittent threw me off.
Fortunately I had a spare pair of wheel bearings that are still good,
so all this cost me was 8 rags and 3 hours.


Justin

That's a nice holiday gift for me. I probably guess something right
twice a year!

and you did the repair yourself - awesome!

Carl