Thread: Need some help determining sources of noise

On my 05 GP GT, there are several noises definitely related to the suspension or technically powertrain if it involves the CV axles. I want to try to pin down what all of the noises are because I'm planning on ordering parts this Friday to get my suspension back up to par, and a little some.

First off there's an off clunk when my car rocks left to right at slower speeds, anything above 5 mph and it would be dangerous/reckless to try to recreate the sound, but I'm thinking it's the sway bar end link. The driver's side one has a bit of play, or at least it did several weeks ago, I bet it's horrible by now D: I plan on upgrading to a GMPP rear and Dorman front with endlinks.

Secondly there's a rattle coming from what I believe is the front right wheel. As soon as I start traveling over about 45-50 mph it begins and gets louder as I increase my speed (it used to start at 60-65 mph). I'm already purchasing new lower control arms in order to run the bigger front sway bar, and I'm thinking that possibly the bearing is going out on that wheel? If So I plan to buy a replacement.

On top of that, just recently I've noticed this horrid, terrifying sound only while under heavy acceleration, at lower speeds where the torque is really putting stress on the wheels. It sounds like grinding/scratching, and I can only hear it with the windows closed and music off, but I feel like I should fix that now before it gets bad. I was thinking possibly a bad CV joint, and I'll check under the car early tomorrow for damage to any of the boots. I'm hoping it's the passenger side, as that could explain the wheel bearing, and if so I'll just purchase a whole new CV axle for peace of mind.

Finally, and this one I have no idea what it could be, the back end squeaks when going over bumps, slow or fast, and kind of screeches almost (it's an odd sound) when the rear end hits a bump at higher speeds.

I apologize for the long post, I tried my best to make it clear and searched at least twenty-some times, so I think I may know what most of the noises are coming from, but I'd like to make sure before I go and order all of these parts.

Ok, so I've got a followup.

I replaced my right side CV axle and wheel hub for peace of mind, and the drone is now gone. I've found the source of all the noises except the rattle (which at this point I suspect to be a broken clip on my wiper cowl), and that grinding/scratching noise under acceleration. That noise is the only one I'm worried about.

Could lower control arms cause this? The axle and wheel bearing are all good on the left, but while I had the passenger side apart I noticed the bushing towards the front is pulling halfway out while the control arm is lowered like that. I've got new LCA's sitting here so I can install a bigger anti sway bar in the front, so I hope so. I'm just really hoping it isn't my differential, it'll suck having to pull that axle out again.

Posting another followup in case anyone is experiencing the same problems as me.

Overall I've replaced the passenger side axle and hub, both control arms, put in a Dorman front anti-sway bar, replaced both trailing arms with Dorman's, and put in the GMPP rear anti-sway bar.

The rattle I may have pinned down as being a loose harness for a sensor, I'll edit this post in a bit after I test drive it. A washer fluid level sensor was hanging down, looks very similar to this:

The base is different (has that gasket to fit snug into the washer resivior), but the "level dongle" is the same.

Strange this was when I went to "remount" it, there was already a sensor in the correct place! I cross checked the part number's etc. on both, and they're both identical, and both plugged in... anyone have an idea as to why I have two washer fluid level sensors?...

And last thing, at this point the grinding noise has to either be tranny related (I'd bet on the differential), or it may actually be my A/C clutch bearing going and causing the A/C/ clutch to grind D: I knew it was going anyways, it "hooted" and whirred the few weeks it worked till the refrigerant worked its way out again, I'll do a quick test without the serpentine and see what happens...

/rant