I am hearing this huming noise in the left front wheel area, especially when turning right. Could this be a wheel bearing? and if it is are they hard to change. Will I need to change the speed sensor also?

Grab the wheel on both sides and shake it back and forth towards you. Does it seem loose? Is there any play?

It DOES sound like your wheel bearing. The sensor is integral with the new bearing assy.

Thanx for the replies and i will try moving the wheel to-day to see if there is any play.

While play in the wheel may be indicative of a bad bearing, NO PLAY is not indicative of a GOOD bearing AND no droning noise is not indicative of a GOOD bearing. Allow me to explain:
I ran on a bad bearing for over 2 years without knowing it. My bearing was making noise similar to yours', but I had NO play. I replaced that one. After a few thousand miles on my REPLACEMENT bearing assembly I started noticing a "crunch" or "crack" only when turning left, whether moving forward or backward. Because I had a lifetime bearing assembly after the first replacement AND after still having the noise after a new rack and mcpherson struts, I replace the bearing again on a hunch. Voila.... no more crunch.

Ted

Changed wheel bearing the other day but huming noise still exists in the front drivers side area. The repair wasn't a waste though, the mechanic said the bearing was toast. He mentioned that one of my tires was doing this. I had wheels rotated to see if noise exists in the same area and it does. Any suggestons ? Maybe new defective bearing?

I know I need strut bearings but I don't think this would cause the humming noise all of a sudden.... :?:

Well that'* good to hear since I'm pretty sure I have bad wheel bearings on my left wheel at least, but there is NO play. I hate the sound it makes when I turn left...sounds like the wheel will break off...freaks me out. But I don't have the $$ to fix it now. It is the first thing on my to do list when I get the money.

Ya it sounds brutal especially when I turn right. Wheel bearing cost me 159.00 + tax CDN. at Car Quest...GM was way more than that.

I'm assuming you changed it yourself then?? How hard was it? I don't have a service manual yet, since I can't find one for a Bonneville...just Grand Prix'* and "Full-Size GM'*"

If it'* a PITA I won't mind getting it done at a shop since they will balance my wheels for me afterwards.

kerker,

That "humming" noise would drive me crazy until I found it (no pun intended). Obviously, diagnosing by e-mail sucks.

I can't think of anything in that front area other than the air shock pump that would hum. Do you have an air pump? It is just in front of the driver'* side drive wheel.

I take it you just hear the hum while the tires are rotating with chassis weight on them? At what speed do you hear it? Does the noise change as you speed up or slow down? Does the noise change when you apply and release the brakes? Does it hum while moving in reverse? Does your steering wheel pulsate like you have a tire out of balance? Is the tire "cupped" or show any unusual wear pattern?

You know, another thought. If you hear the hum at other times it could also be caused by power steering hydraulic fluid coursing through the hoses and rack. However, I would think the hum would occur while the engine is running and the car stationary OR moving in this case.

Let us know.

Ted