Thread: What could cause a "growling" vibration

I have a 2006 GP GT that has developed what I am calling a suspension/acceleration "growl" type vibration. I still get great performance from the engine, but under moderate-hard acceleration and/or when going over "rolling" bumps on the highway, I notice both with sound and vibration sort of a "growl" and I am trying to figure out what it could be.

The growl is most noticeable if the car is full of people (like when my wife and kids are in it). I can get it to happen with acceleration, or like I said going over those larger dips/bumps that cause the whole car to sort of go up/down like a boat going over a wave (vs. short small pavement crack type bumps). In particular, when the suspension is compressed (car is dipping down from the bump/dip) it is VERY noticeable.

Any ideas on what to look for?

There is 1 other piece of information that I will throw out there that I need to fix, but I didn't want to "skew" peoples' thoughts on this.

So please answer the question BEFORE reading the statements below and then read it to see if it makes sense. Thanks!



OK, so by now you have come to at least some thought on the problem, here is the other piece of information. I looked under the front end up the car last night when changing the oil filter and noticed that the CV boot nearest the engine on the passenger side wasn't clamped on with the inner most clamp (the outside clamp is there). The clamp is there, but just "hopping around on the axle" and not holding the one end of the boot. The grease has got to be pretty much gone. I was going to fill the boot and put the clamp back on, but I am thinking that if it is the source of my problem, I may need to replace the whole half shaft. If it is something else, then I would like to try to diagnose and correct it while I am digging around under there.

get a re maned half shaft from any parts store,
that may be whats casuing the "growling"..is it on the same side?

Not sure how to check if it is the same side or not. It seems hard to pinpoint, but is definitely a stronger feel than sound.

Is there a better brand of replacement part out there? I know that you can get reman'd ones, but I thought that I was reading somewhere that it is good to get a new one for the minimal cost difference.

it is cheaper to get a remaned one but the extra 30 bucks for a new isnt worth it, with the remaned you get all new parts and the only thing they reuse is the shaft itself,,
what side is the halfshaft on?..L or R?
what side is the noise comeing from?..L or R?///or can you not tell

The side that has the "empty" boot is on the passenger side. I can't really tell where the sound is coming from besides that I really feel it when the suspension is under load from rolling bumps or acceleration. It isn't an engine noise, definitely something else.

I've replaced 4 wheel bearings (one of them twice) in my 2000 GTP that I used to have, and this is a completely different feel/sound than any of those instances.

i was gonna say a wheel bearing too but then i read the last little bit, it sounds like its just the inner joint making noise, replace it and hopyfully itll go away

So if I go to RockAuto and order one, I see a few things.

Cardone Select Part # 661256 - New CV Drive Axel with retaining clip - Front Right - $44.79

EMPI Part # 801820 - Front Right - $67.79

A-1 Cardone Part # 601256 - Reman. Front Right - $47.99

You said to just get a Reman, but it looks to be $0.20 more that the new part from the same place, although it is $20 cheaper than the EMPI new part.

Thoughts?

i never looked on there for one, i ment places like auto zone, advance, and oriley's
thats were i got mine from and most come with core,
is that shipped?..if so id get a new one

Sounds more like a wheel hub to me.

You know, I never did fix it, but I am going to be forced to do it soon. It seems like every second of my day is either at work, doing stuff with the kids, or working on finishing our basement. We've got a deadline of 2 weeks before we MUST be ready for drywall (long story) so I've been dealing with this.

Let me know what they come back with. Thanks.

PS. I've replaced a number of wheel bearings (most on my 2000 GTP that I had) and this is completely different.

So I dug into this today and yup, bad inner CV joint on the passenger side just as suspected.

Drives great again.

Glad you got it fixed. I was going to suggest replacing that cv shaft..

oh yeah for those of you that don't know what CV stands for....... Its Constant Velocity

go to a parking lot.

And start to drive in circles or make very sharp tight turns. Listen for popping or clicking, that will tell you if a CV is bad.