92 Camry Growl

[Gatores]

When I turn into a parking spot to the left my car makes an awful noise. Only to the left though. Not a peep out of it when I turn to the right. Any idea what would cause this. Its a 4 cyl LE with 340,000 miles so it is getting almost broke in.

Thanks

Rick

[Scott K]

Will it make the noise sitting still, such as sitting in it and turning the wheel back and forth, or do you have to be moving to get it to happen?

[Gatores]

Thanks for the quick response. I have to be moving for it to do it.

[Scott K]

It sounds like it would be a bad wheel bearing. If you are in a safe area with no traffic, drive straight about 20 mph, swerve left then right, does it make the noise only to the left, if so I would suspect the left front wheel bearing.

[Gatores]

4WE I just tried what you said. It didnt seem to make any noticable noise either way. The only time I really notice it is when in a parking lot. Like when I take a sharp left to park in a spot. A sharp right doesnt make a sound.

[ChuckN]

My '94 Camry has the same sounds when I turn sharp at slow speeds (parking lots). It's been that way for a long time and hasn't gotten worse, so I have been ignoring it. I guessed the CV joints aren't the best. I have had to replace them before, years ago..

[Gatores]

Yeah I have had the growl for quite a while as well. Just was thinking of finally taking care of it. The CV joints in the axles correct?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Is it a clack or a growl (kind of like grinding brakes)?

Drive axles generally make a clacking noise in a tight turn while accelerating.

A growling noise could be a backing plate rubbing or the tire rubbing on an inner fender also.

[Shack]

Quote:

my car makes an awful noise

Coming off of what Airjer said, is it a click, click, click noise? Maybe a clunk, clunk clink noise until you straighten out?

If so, crawl under car and look for a rubber boot by the control arm (by the inside of the tire) on the right and then left side. What you would be looking for would be similar to this:

See if it is split and grease is pouring out.

Funny thing, but I just did an alternator on a Ford product tonight for a growl when turning A bearing inside of it was so loose/bad, when the power steering assist was applied, it made a "power steering" like grown The stethoscope never lies though .

[Macgyver55]

I would be inclined to crank the wheel hard left (while parked) and check clearances all around both tires, inside and out. Look carefully at the tire for wear marks on the edges or inside sidewall. It sounds more like something may be rubbing, possibly due to a worn or broken suspension part. Possibly something as simple as a loose inner fender. With that amount of miles it could be most anything.

[ChuckN]

226K on my car, and that's what I'm thinking...it could be anything. It's not the clicking sounds. It's definitely a unique sound, I'd call a "growl".

No uneven tire wear, drives incredible otherwise. The CV boots are fine, I always keep on eye on these. Newer struts installed by Toyota not terribly long ago.

[Gatores]

Yeah mine seems to be a growl not a click or clack. I assume its the same thing making this noise, but when sitting still if I turn my steering wheel all the way left no noise, but when I start turning it back to the right it makes a terrible pop like something is binding. After the one "pop" its mine the rest of the way to the right. I am gonna bring it in to find out what it is and I will post the results.

[Scott K]

Steering and brakes are one thing I would err to the side of caution on vehicles. If you dont find it yourself, it is best to bring it in to the pros to have a look.

[ChuckN]

I drove my car in circles, growling noise on hard left turn and the sound is coming from the front passenger wheel. Can't find the culprit yet.

Hard right turn I get the clicking noise.

All the driving in circles and inspecting front end...a right CV boot broke in the process. Coincidentally. Time for new drive axles, further inspection and I'll report back after the job is done. It might be awhile...