Video & Picture Diagnosis

**roundbox52** · 06-07-2011

2001 Grand Prix - no mod's. 114,000 mi....rusted out bottom from WNY winters.

Check out this link for the video/audio and the attached pictures along with the description below:

YouTube - ‪MOV006‬&rlm;

I've been hearing this drone/humming sound from my front end lately, specifically the drivers side front. It originally was pretty faint, but as the weeks went on it got louder and louder. Instead of hearing it only when I was going around 45 mph I now hear it starting at around 20 mph and it gets louder as I go faster.

When I get to about 45 mph I start to feel a vibration in the gas pedal. If I slightly turn the wheel to the left the vibration goes away, but the sound is still there.

I was recently doing some brake work and noticed a bunch of grease piled up on a part. Yes a part - I'm not too mechanically savvy on part identification. Anyways, I have attached a few pictures of this grease on this part. I checked the rubber boot but I didn't find any noticeable cracks or breaks in it.

I am wondering if the vibration and sound I am hearing is related to all the grease I found. Hopefully someone can help!

**TheOtherNick** · 06-07-2011

You need an axle and possibly a wheel bearing.

**roundbox52** · 06-08-2011

Originally Posted by TheOtherNick

You need an axle and possibly a wheel bearing.

Anyone else have any ideas or does this seem to be very logical? Can I replace the inner CV Joint rather than the entire axle? How do I know if the wheel bearing needs to be replaced?

**whiney** · 06-08-2011

3rd pic from the bottom, looks like the brake line is fubar'ed. jack the car up and see if the wheel has any play when trying to rock between 12' o clock and 6' o clock. if there is play then you need a new one.

**FoSHO99** · 06-08-2011

That's CV grease. It's just easier to buy a new drivers side axle. A GT/GTP axle will work on the drivers side, passenger side of a GTP needs a GTP axle.

The brake line looks like it has some grease on it and is a lil rusted, don't think its your problem now but would be a good idea to fix soon.

**roundbox52** · 06-09-2011

Originally Posted by FoSHO99

The brake line looks like it has some grease on it and is a lil rusted, don't think its your problem now but would be a good idea to fix soon.

I just replaced part of the brake line going to the driver's side rear brake. Had a huge leak in it from the constant salted roads in winter!

Just this morning the rear passanger's side coil spring broke on me - it was rubbing against the tire! Any chance I can just replace the spring and not the entire strut?

**SJAndrew** · 06-09-2011

Originally Posted by roundbox52

I just replaced part of the brake line going to the driver's side rear brake. Had a huge leak in it from the constant salted roads in winter!

Just this morning the rear passanger's side coil spring broke on me - it was rubbing against the tire! Any chance I can just replace the spring and not the entire strut?

Yes, of course, get a new spring and a spring compressor.

But, you'd be CRAZY to go through the hassle of separating the spring from the shock without replacing both.

Do yourself a favor and replace BOTH rear struts with Monroe quick struts. They're bolt in and have all new parts (new bearing pocket, shock, spring, etc). They're about $120 a piece from rockatuo. Replacing one spring without the other is asking for problems - the new spring will be WAY more stiff than the existing one and mess up all of the suspension geometry (to have one corner 2" higher than the rest).

**roundbox52** · 06-09-2011

Originally Posted by SJAndrew

Do yourself a favor and replace BOTH rear struts with Monroe quick struts.

Okay - I just bought a pair of Monroe Econo-Matic struts - Same company, same quick install concept... Hopefully they work just as good as the more expensive Quick-Struts. Price was $76 after using a $40 coupon code at advance auto. I haven't been able to beat Advance Auto prices anywhere since they have such great coupon codes and have local quick pickup.