thumping noise left front

[pete315]

I'm getting a thumping noise and a growl from front. sounds like left side. wheel bearings changed 20,000 miles ago. I checked for play, none visible as far as I can tell. I swapped front tire for another, still there. could it be a bad axle?

 

[Grantorinslo]

When does the noise happen? Accelerating/decelerating? While shifting? Turning? The same noise at different times could be different things.

I would check the subframe bushings, ball joints, strut mounts, and Axles/CVs without knowing exactly how the sound happens.

 

[pete315]

does it driving straight. increases with speed. maybe it gets louder or more pronounced when you turn one way. thats why I thought it was a tire. but I jacked up front end, removed both front tires and still vibration was there. feel like the left side.

 

[rubydist]

How much play is there in the CV joints? One of them could be bad, from your description.

 

[pete315]

how do you test the play? the tires can move forward and backwards but I think thats the normal play inside the automatic tranny?