Vibration going 60+ only turning right Options

[MSKapcala]

I am hoping to get some ideas for what could be causing this, but first a little backstory.

I took my 1997 GT convertible to my mechanic to have some stuff replaced and to check the driver side rear wheel bearing, because when I turned right going 40mph or more I would hear and feel (a little) a vibration-type sound and it felt like it was coming from the rear. It would happen only when turning right, when the weight of the vehicle was shifting left and I was at 40mph or higher.

So my mechanic replaced the rear-wheel bearing and since I have had it back, it seemed fixed. Then this morning, I was going around 60mph turning right around a curve and I heard the noise again, but not quite as pronounced. But again, it's only when turning right and the weight of the vehicle shifts to the left, going 60ish or so now.

Any ideas on what this could be? The front left wheel bearing? Or should I recommend they look at the bushings in the suspension/steering? Originally, they said they couldn't really re-produce the noise, but then eventually came to the conclusion it was the left rear wheel bearing. I drive the vehicle every week, so I know how to "produce it", so to speak.

Any help would be great, I just don't want to be driving and something break and I have a big problem or accident. Thanks!

[narly_charley]

If you're not sure if the noise is coming from the rear or front, it could be the other wheel bearing? What brand wheel bearing did you have them install? There's a chance that the one they installed COULD be faulty (I've seen it happen before). How long was it from install to the time you started to hear it again? Did it totally go away once the wheel bearing was replaced?

I had a 2004 Corolla that went through about 5 wheel bearings on the front left corner. Torque spec on the nut was spot on, everything was being done by the book. Turned out that there was obviously a bad ground to the body, so I installed a new ground from the battery to the fender inside the engine bay. What can happen is a current during cranking will run through the suspension and through the wheel bearing, arcing across the bearings, causing pitting and ruining them prematurely. It sounds super far fetched, but actually not as uncommon as you'd might think. Check your grounds just to be safe.

My bet is it's either a different bearing or the one you installed was DOA.

[MSKapcala]

If you're not sure if the noise is coming from the rear or front, it could be the other wheel bearing? What brand wheel bearing did you have them install? There's a chance that the one they installed COULD be faulty (I've seen it happen before). How long was it from install to the time you started to hear it again? Did it totally go away once the wheel bearing was replaced?

I had a 2004 Corolla that went through about 5 wheel bearings on the front left corner. Torque spec on the nut was spot on, everything was being done by the book. Turned out that there was obviously a bad ground to the body, so I installed a new ground from the battery to the fender inside the engine bay. What can happen is a current during cranking will run through the suspension and through the wheel bearing, arcing across the bearings, causing pitting and ruining them prematurely. It sounds super far fetched, but actually not as uncommon as you'd might think. Check your grounds just to be safe.

My bet is it's either a different bearing or the one you installed was DOA.

Thanks for the reply. I noticed maybe 3 days after getting it back, but again. I have to be going around 55-60 and making an aggressive type turn right. I am not sure what brand they used. I think I am going to drive it until it gets colder and then when I get ready to sit it for the winter, i'll have them check the LF wheel bearing and also the bushings and steering components to make sure it isn't a ball joint or bushing in the control arm, etc. See if they come up with anything.

[BlackRa1n21]

Check your strut, my Celica had a bad strut only on the right rear. Whenever I did turning on the highways it did cause some vibration with the steering wheel and some clunking while going over dips. To replicate the sound and confirmed it was my strut, make the car bounce on the rear just by pushing on the rear bumper or opening the passenger door and standing on the door sills using momentum.

[MSKapcala]

Check your strut, my Celica had a bad strut only on the right rear. Whenever I did turning on the highways it did cause some vibration with the steering wheel and some clunking while going over dips. To replicate the sound and confirmed it was my strut, make the car bounce on the rear just by pushing on the rear bumper or opening the passenger door and standing on the door sills using momentum.

Good thought. I did just have the shocks and struts replaced 2-3 months ago and the noise was present before that, so I don't think that is it. I called the garage yesterday, and they said there was excessive play in the LR wheel, so they replaced the bearing. They didn't check any of the others.

I am taking it back around Thanksgiving to have them look over the other suspension and steering components to see what, if any are excessively worn and need replaced. I will have them check the motor mounts and other wheel bearings at that time too. RockAuto sure must be loving my business...