Thread: Whistling noise when turning

Here is a video I took of the noise and explaining some things:

I know the trunk light comes on intermittently, I have to look into that as well. It's completely shut.

Info:
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with the 3800. 109,000 miles. No past service to the wheel bearings/steering system that I know of.
I'm thinking it's the wheel bearing, more than anything else I considered. More input is appreciated.
I find it annoying when people don't provide much info about a problem, so I hope this is full of detail.

Sounds like brakes rubbing on your rotor.

The reason I ruled that out is because when applying the brakes going straight they have never made that noise. When turning, applying the brakes do not make a difference in the sound.

I checked the tire for play when I had it on stands which was about a month ago, there is no noticeable play. It almost always makes the noise, but I don't think it got this loud until winter came along. It does seem to be coming from the brake/wheel bearing area. I know it comes form the left side, but as the driver I cannot tell if it comes from the right side or not. I'll have to get a friend to stand next to my car and try to pinpoint the noise. More input is appreciated.

Likely it's a backing plate up against the rotor. Rotors flex on turns.

I don't have backing plates on the fronts.

I had my cousin listen to it. He said his bearings on his Buick century made that noise constant, even while going straight. He replaced one and the noise was gone, and 500 miles later the other side started doing it too.

Oh, and when I lift mine of fthe ground, turn, and spin the wheel, it will not make the noise. Weight must be on it.

I've never heard of a PS pump making that noise. Just in case in the video I demonstrated the noise with the engine off to eliminate it. I'm already sure it's the wheel bearing, I just still haven't got to buying them and replacing. I've already got the 33mm socket for the hubs too by coincidence. I needed it for a pitman arm on a steering gear box.

Figured I'd update this. Here's a video of the noise up close



I replaced the entire front suspension and the noise is gone. I believed it to be the wheel bearing making noise, since it made the noise under load (mostly on turns, and after this post it got worse and made the noise while braking when it was cold) and for some reason for the first few feet of driving after it has been sitting it would make the noise(such as the video). Both fronts were replaced btw just because I don't want to deal with the other one going out too. The brakes are all the same as they were in case you were thinking thats what it was.