On my 97 Transport, I have recently had some noise (somewhat loud hum?) coming while driving straight and while turning towards left. The noise disappears when turning towards right. There is no noise at idle, and with brakes pressed and gas given, there is no noise. This leads me to believe it is steering related. The noise gradually increases with speed.

I got under the van to take a look. The CV boots are fine. There is no play when moving the tire from top and bottom. There seems to be little play moving tire from left to right, but that is normal, right? The ball joint seemed to be strong. :?

The steering boot looked OK, but there is snow on the ground so it is hard to tell.

Any thoughts? I don't have much experience troubleshooting steering/suspension issues.

Thanks.

it also could a wheel bearing going out, if it only happens during driving situations

I'm moving this to the Lounge since it'* not a mechanical Bonneville issue.

wheel bearing. I forget which side that would make it though. Do a quick search on wheel bearing...I'm sure the info is here.

Maybe there is a pedestrian stuck under your car?

Totally wheel bearing. Had the exact same symptom on my Bonneville. (I realize this isn't your H-Body.)

On the Bonneville it means replacing the entire steering knuckle. Kinda pricey, many people just go with a junkyard. No idea if your Transport is the same, or if the bearing can be replaced without the steering knuckle.

Thanks for the feedback. The job, if similar to our Bonnies, should not be too difficult.

So, last question: is the right side bearing or the left one? Read a few posts on wheel bearing. Looks like it is difficult to determine.....

Wheel bearing noise should be easy to hear what side it'* coming from. If you only get to hear it while driving, then have someone else drive so you can listen from the passenger side.

Any car I've ever had a wheel bearing go bad, it was really easy to hear what side it was.

I must admit that I haven't been able to isolate which side is the problem just by hearing it while driving (or being chauffeured). I found the attached topic; I will have to give the coil spring trick a try.

Anybody had luck with this trick?

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...l+bearing+side

I agree.....wheel bearing.

You can jack the front of the vehicle up and try wiggling/rocking the wheel/tire top to bottom (hands at 12 and 6 o'clock position) and then left to right (hands at 9 and 3 o'clock position). There will be play in either the left or right wheel. That will be the side that needs to be replaced.