Creaking in Left Front Wheel

[CincyGXP]

I have a noise that just started in my left front wheel that can best be described as a creaking sound, or sort of like the sound of a tire on hot ashphalt, if that makes any sense. It is speed sensitive, and it does it when the car is in drive, or nuetral just rolling. Anybody have any ideas?

[ChilinMichael]

How many miles are on this car? Do you notice any play in the steering? Does the car drive any differently than it did before this started?

[CincyGXP]

58000 miles. Nope, no play in wheel, handles as usual.

[00Beast]

Check the front wheel bearing for play. Also look at the CV shaft boots and make sure they haven't split and slung out grease.

[CincyGXP]

CV boots seem ok, there is no green grease splattered all over. I would say its the wheel bearing, but I thought that usually was only noticed after a certain speed. I can literally put the car in drive or reverse, and let it roll no more than 5 or 6 inches, and I can hear it immediately. Tire problem maybe?

[CMNTMXR57]

Could be a number of things.

- Ball joints
- steering linkage
- tie rod ends
- damaged/wore shocks in the strut assembly
- stabilizer bar links
- lower control arm

Can you bounce up and down on the front suspension while the car is sitting and get the noise to reproduce itself? If it does, you may be able to isolate the issue(s). If not, you may have to get teh front of the car in the air, and start probing around...