Left front rapid tapping/growling

[ancorder]

I spent a couple hours yesterday trying to find a similar mechanical issue on the forums and had no luck. My apologies if this is a repost; just point me to the old one if it is.

 

I have a 1991 Cutlass Supreme sedan. 120k miles.

 

Couple weeks ago I started hearing this noise about three or four second after I started my car (basically as soon as everything was idling normal, gauges were live, etc.). The noise is... hard to describe. Its rhythmically consistent and sounds sort of like two pieces of metal tapping each other, but dulled like there's a couple pieces of paper in-between. That's the best I can describe, tonally. It's rapid, like about 8-12 hertz, probably. It sounds like it's coming from the left front wheel well area.

 

It started out happening every four or five times I started the car. A couple of days ago it began happening pretty much anytime I started the car and it was still warm. Now it pretty well happens every time. Also a couple of days ago it started increasing in speed as I revved the engine; I hadn't noticed this happening before, but that doesn't mean it wasn't.

 

The noise is there in park and all gears (even reverse) when stationary. When I start moving, after I get up to about ten miles an hour it disappears. If, when stationary, I put pressure on the wheel the noise will stop, but as soon as I let go of the wheel it will start again.

 

Things that have been changed/done since the problem started: one oil/filter/air filter change, one transmission fluid change, tire rotation, and serpentine belt replacement.

 

I will access to a garage (complete with lift) this coming weekend. I'm unsure what to check. I am handy with tools but am an advanced novice when it comes to cars. I plan to check the CV covers, and suspect I need to check tie rod ends and maybe steering apparatus as well, but am not sure what I'm looking for.

 

I would greatly appreciate any assistance that may be rendered.

 

Cheers.

[1990lumina]

Is the transmission fluid full 100%?

 

Is this a noise that happens without moving the car?? IE: Powertrain noise?

 

[xtremerevolution]

Move the shifter from park into all selections (R, N, D, 3, 2, 1). Let me know if the sound continues in all positions.

 

Check your power steering fluid level.

 

Check your motor mounts.

[ancorder]

Power steering fluid, oil, trans fluid are all good. Car has never had any leaks or burned any oil. (The paint is a whole other story, unfortunately.)

 

This is a noise that happens when I am still sitting in a parking space, for example. Not moving. Once it gets up to speed (above a few mph), the noise is gone.

 

My wife took the car to work today, but I have checked several times and the noise does occur in all gear selections with no noticeable change in pitch or frequency.

 

I will check the motor mounts when the car is home; can this be done just visually? And if so, from the top? Or do I need to crawl under?

 

Tomorrow I will head out to the storage unit and get my shop service manual for the car, though I borrowed a friends a couple weeks ago and wasn't able to make any kind of diagnosis of the noise.

 

Thank you for your responses.

[xtremerevolution]

When you say gears, do you refer to the gears the transmission shifts into while driving normally, or the actually selections on the shifter? I was referring to the shifter selections.

[ancorder]

Sorry, I meant the shifter selections when the car is stationary. This sounds does not occur when the car is in motion above 8-10 mph.

[ancorder]

Checked the motor mounts and cv boots; everything looks perfect. Thoughts?

'

[Andrew]

pull off your belt and check all the pulleys for play. Road noise while driving could drown out the weird noise you are hearing but still actually be there.