Wheel bearing?
 

Since we have had the 2000 ssei, I have changed 3 hub assemblies. No biggie, easy to change. Each has had that wonderfull droning/rumbling sound. This noise has me puzzled. It's more of a metal to metal sound, like a brake pad warning tab rubbing on the rotor. It is coming from the left/driver front. Does NOT change with brake application no matter how I turn the steering wheel. I pulled the wheel/tire and checked the pads and for anything touching the rotor, nothing. Will not make the noise in the air sitting on stands. Driving straight, it's quiet. Turn ever so slightly off center only to the right, and we get the noise. I'm guessing wheel bearing, hate to fork out the cash we don't have for one if that isn't it. Yes, I know it's hard to determine online, another guess or another vote for the hub would be great.

Thanks!!

With the wheel in the air check for play. Listen while you turn it, pull it, what ever. See if there's play pushing in and pulling out.

prob the bearing,,,,,, these chassis eat them like candy.

I had 2 caddy STS's before my SSEI and they ate them to

what size is the huge nut (I think its called a spindal nut) also what size torx do I need to get the hub off

Please add your year and trim of your vehicle to your signature line. That way when you start asking questions in other areas of the forum, we all have a better idea on how to assist you. Click on "Quick Links" above, go down to "User Control Panel" and then click on "Edit your Signature" It's pretty straight forward from there.

The spindle nut is 34 mm.

it is in my signature its in the user bar that says 1996 Bonneville SE Bright White

I knew that. I was just testing. :w3

ok well I figured out the sizes 34mm and T55

Update: Not having the $$ to fix it this fall/winter, I put it off. I know, I know..... Anyway, the noise went away. Last month I put new ceramic pads on front and rear, and new slotted rotors on the front. After removing the front pads, I noticed the strange wear and heavy RUST build up on the rotors. I bought these rotors 75k miles ago from Napa. Rotors were excessiviely worn and extremely rusty. For an example, after driving the car, I would wash it, by the time I was done washing, the rotors would be coated in rust. Gotta love the chinese crap. Same with the actual pads, they would rust up. So, the noise was from flakey metal on the back side of the rotor, it swelled up/flaked and was contacting the backing of the pad. The wear indicators hadn't even made contact with the rotors yet. I picked up the new pads/rotors from TireRack. Peddle pulse is also gone. I don't think I'll be buying the Napa brake parts again if I don't have to...

Thats another down side to this chassis,,,,, hard on rotors,,,, warps them quickly.

Maybe is because I also buy aftermarkets.

I am considering a GXP brake upgrade next time mine does is,,,,, I bought drilled and slotteds ( cheap off ebay ) and after prob 15k I have a slight pulse again