95 Bonneville front end noises

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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Paintjar
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:21 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 Bonneville SE
Location: Virginia

95 Bonneville front end noises

Post by Paintjar »

For awhile my right front end would growl as I turned to the left going down the road. Now it makes a popping sound on a left turn going over bumps. Where should I look for something loose or broken? Would it be the trans axle or the strut? I am going to jack it up and see what happens when I jar the wheel. Will that give me an indication? Suspension and trans axle are new to me. Thanks for any help.
96 SSEi
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: 95 Bonneville front end noises

Post by 96 SSEi »

the grinding may be a wheel bearing - get it off the ground and see if there is any play in wheel -you hold it at 12:00 and 6:00 position. now rock back and forth - is there play?
if there is, the bearing is out of round and deteriorating.
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
Paintjar
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:21 pm
Year and Trim: 1995 Bonneville SE
Location: Virginia

Re: 95 Bonneville front end noises

Post by Paintjar »

Hey, thanks for the attention. I jacked her up and found the torsion bar on both ends where worn out. The play in the short piece connecting the bar to the wheel had rubbers that were worn out. The wheel had no play. Very solid and no noise when turning the wheel. It appears the wheel bearings are OK. The other possible cause I am told are balls in the trans axle. One or more may be worn or damaged making the growling noise when I turn while driving at speed. I fear the only way to see is removal. I have had the driver side off a few years ago giving me access to trans. It looked good and no signs of excessive wear. I can do this job. I am thinking of replacing the whole axle over repair. Any recommendations on this? Thanks for your help.
96 SSEi
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: 95 Bonneville front end noises

Post by 96 SSEi »

get that suspension work done and see if the noise is still there - you mean the half axel shaft? it may be, but, usually the boot is damaged and grease escapes and is replaced by dirt - you can put it in gear on a hoist while you turn the wheel from stop to stop you listen for your noise.
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
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