Yes, Fivefingerdeathpunch, the issue was with the front passenger side bearing. Thanks for telling me to check this. I was in denial that there was an issue with the bearing.
With the front of the car in the air, I took the wheel as it was still mounted and applied pressure side to side and top to bottom. There was so much play in the wheel it was although the lug nuts were halfway loosened. I could not believe it as I have rotated and switched out the wheels with other ones many times. I never bothered to do this simple check.
I was believing the front wheel bearings could not be the problem due to them only having 30,000 miles or so on them. Wow, was I ever wrong. These front bearings were made by Moog and installed in October of 2012 with 150k miles on the odometer.
So, no wonder I was getting all the noise as you said I was describing.
Luckily, I had another front bearing and I put that bearing on the car and took it for a drive. Obviously, no more noise.
I noticed that there was lots of wear on the inside tread of the tire. Fortunately, the tires are old and need replaced anyways.
I stopped by the store where I purchased the Moog bearings and was told I could return them for new ones, but need the sales slip.
I plan on buying a new bearing to install on the front in the near future.
Just can't believe I was having an issue with the bearing after just 30,000 miles.
Someone on FB said the problem is cheap Korean steel that is being used in the manufacturing of front replacement bearings.
Another said it is due to the bearings heating up on long drives on the highway and then hitting deep bumps or raised portions of the road on bridge decks which cause the bearing material to actually start to break down.
A mechanic at a local GM dealer said to purchase the original equipment bearing from GM and it should last longer. What a joke? These cost over $300 and may not last as long as Timkin, Moog or any others.
It will just be a fact of life to keep checking the bearings on the car and replace as needed.
