weired front end noise?

[lovely10]

so, lately (actually for a month now lol) ive been noticing that when im making right turns, whether it be turning a corner or a long banking corner (on on-ramps) i hear a rapid thudding sound. MAYBE similar to a engine spazzing and hitting the underside of the hood before it dies out, ecxpet mine happens throughtout the whole duration of the turn. lol sorry im not good at explaining sounds. anyway, im thinking it could be wheel bearings? i just bought 4 brand new tires about 1k miles ago so i know it isnt tire noise or whatever. also, something i think i should mention is that i hear that same noise when im on the freeway, when i am cruising at 60-70 mph ONLY and going STRAIGHT. ???

side note: is it normal to have a harmonic somewhat-high-pitched "hummmmm" when in 4th gear?? this happens only when i step on the gas in 4th at any rpm with even the SLIGHTEST touch.



any suggestions?

[1991corolla4afe]

Have you checked your cv joints?

[SCT]

It may be both CV axle and bearings.

Bad bearings usually have a progressive sound as you increase speed, the faster the louder. Depending on how bad it is, it can be from a whirling sound to metallic grinding sounds. To check for bad bearings, lift the front/ back of vehicle of the ground wherever the sound is coming from. Don't just lift one corner, either the whole front or whole rear. Then turn the wheel assemblies by hand (making sure brake is off and car in neutral or whatever). Listen carefully for any grinding sounds. Like I said, it can be soft to hard sounds depending on how bad it has worn.

Axles, clanks while turning at various degrees. The way to check these, drive at a steady speed and do I turn. If it's REAL bad, like it feels like something wants to lock up, it may the differential, I had that. Don't want it. Unlike the brakes, that actually stops the car in it's spot.

As for your 4th gear, check your trans fluid. Any thing else, 4th gear could be worn. OR, it can be related to your clanking sounds when you turn (differential issue).

[lovely10]

uh oh. i hope my 4th isnt on its way out :/ im gonna take a look at it this weekend.

on another note, my idle has been acting up lately. im thinking that it could be my o2 sensor because i just hit 100k (im ay 101k) and i heard thats about the time those things need to be replaced...sometimes my idle is about 1300...then 900...and/or sometimes 1200 then tapers down to 750. at first i thought vaccum leak but my idle stays steady at whatever rpm it happens to be at instead of bouncying all around. so maybe o2 sensor??