Wheel, drive or suspension sound

[Rick doitmyself]

Mom's '97 Grand Am makes a noise like a tire belt has separated.
Have run my hands over the tires but cannot feel any bulge. The front tires have bee replaced. The car was recently inspected so I guess the CV boots were checked and are OK.

Originally assumed the front tires were the problem when the edge of the belts were coming through where the tread meets the side wall.

Any ideas?

 

[Violator]

First, if it's wearing one edge of the tire it should have an alignment.

If what you are hearing is a barreling like noise or tire with seperated belt it most likely has a bad wheel bearing. I don't know how your states saftey inspections work but here in PA a road test is part of the procedure but many don't do it. I have found alot of problems by road testing every car I inspect that normally are overlooked by others who don't do it. Wheel bearings are a common find. These cars also have severe problems with lower control arm bushings that get overlooked. Have them checked when you go for an alignment.

 

[Rick doitmyself]

Youarecorrect

Had it checked. The guy said it is the right front wheel bearing.
The hub assembly with sealed bearing has to be replaced. $60 for labor and $197 for a Delco part.

Would like to doitmyself but may not ever get 'round-to-it.

 

[Rick doitmyself]

Two weeks later

Last Saturday Mom decided to get her car fixed.
After the mechanics got the car on the rack they determined that the problem was the back tires. They where the original tires and ten years old.

They moved the new Kelly Springfields to the back and put two new Firestone's on the front.

We'll see what happens next.