Metal on metal, whistling rattle and shake in a car...any input?
1990 Pontiac Bonneville. Its doing the strangest thing and this is what we've done to try and remedy it. If anyone knows of anything else it could be, please help because we're going nuts and we have no money to fix this at a shop.
The car started making this metal on metal noise so high it sounds like a whistle (but its not) and its not knocking, but its rattling like something is loose. It typically only does it after repeated right hand turns and good sized/frequent bumps.
We have done the following:
- Replaced the idler pulley and belt
- Replaced/tightened the stabilizer links
- Filled the boots to both the bearings and the tie rods
- Stopped the power steering pump from whining to hear it better
- Recently replaced the brakes (with brand new rotors).
Its now doing the noise worse.
Possibilities we've come up with (in order of severity):
- Spindle
- Lower control arm
- Spring
- Bad rotor/caliper
There is filament from the brakes behind the rotor on the control arm/bearing/tie rod etc. which we thought was odd because they're not even 2 months old. Possibly a warped rotor rubbing. That will be next to replace because its still under warranty, but it doesn't seem as likely.
Anyone else have any input? Anything else we can try at home with just floor jacks and mechanics tools (nothing high/air powered)? My husband is a former certified mechanic that no longer has any connections, so we're doing our best with what we have.
It is only on the passenger side, and its only when in motion.
Okay, husband said not only when in motion, but only if you rock the car back and forth if at a stand still.
I think it's the CV joint, possibly a wheel bearing. Beyond that I would be at a loss too.
Thank you for the detailed question. Very helpful.
if it does it in park ...
i would suggest first to remove Serpentine belt and crank up the car and listen to see if the noise is still there. if not its an accessory alternator water pump a pulley ETC. turn off the car and manually turn each item by hand to feel for a bad bearing in the alternator for instance ect....
if it only does it while the vehicle is in drive and moving try to determine which side it icomingng from. allot of GM cars like that can get a bent dust shield behind the rotor and cause a terrible noise. remove the tire and look to see if the dust shield is touching the rotor. if it is you can simply bend it back away from the rotor.
those cars have a problem with the harmonic balancer breaking and making a loud noise. check it with the belt off.
hope you find the problem soon and good luck
update:
if it does it at a stand still and when you rock the car i would focus my attention on the suspension. lower ball joints, the bearing plate built into the top of the strut assy. or the lower control arm bushings.
PB BLASTER is good for finding squeaks. you can spray that needle spray into allot of little holes. try that to help you find the noise.
good luck
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