[00 SS]

I have an old Buick I use as a daily driver. It's an '88 Park Ave, FWD 3.8 V6, 4 speed auto. It's made an odd noise on the way in to work this morning that I can't pin point. The noise sounds like a VERY bad PS pump, you know the whine I'm talking about. It's not the PS pump, I can hear it as well as the noise in question at the same time on occasion. The noise only happens when the car is moving. The noise stops when the car comes to a COMPLETE stop, at a 1-2 MPH roll, it's still there. Also, it seems worst rolling in a straight line. Turning seems to make the noise go away, at least momentarily but not always. The noise seems to get louder the slower the goes but does not seem to change pitch with speed. The brake pedal does not affect the noise, it's the same on or off the brakes.

The front brakes were new a couple months ago and I replaced the right half shaft about 4 months ago. PS pump and harmonic balance were replaced at the same time as the half shaft. Everything else looked fine at the time I worked on it.

Since I'm in the office all day and can't go look at it until this evening, I'm stuck speculating. If you're anyting like me, you know how much it will bug me until I figure out what it is. I'm a bit stumped. Any ideas?

[rocky]

So it is speed related? Start with the obvious, hubs,shafts, make sure something is not hitting anywhere. It could be a problem with the tranny. Do a quick,safe lane change on your way home go both left and right. If the noise changes tone its one or both hubs.

If it is just engine speed related remove the belt and spin your accessories until you find the problem.

If you do not find anything start it up and see if the noise is there. Keep an eye on your guages of course. Possible timing chain if the noise is there.