Few problems Im having with my Solara

[SiegSolara]

Hey all,

Theres a few problems/annoyances/quirks I've been having with my solara.

1) This has only happened twice that I've noticed, when I turned left into a parking spot, I heard this strange squealing / grinding noise that sounded like it was coming from the rear left wheel. I've tried to recreate what I did to cause the noise (braking, pulling left too fast, etc) but am not able to recreate it.

2) This just started today, when coming from a stop, and then acclerating to rpms needed to shift gears (I drive an automatic) I hear this buzzing noise, kinda like a fan spinning too fast. When the car shifts to the next gear, the sound goes away until the rpms are high enough to shift to the next higher gear. Its *sounds* like a small fan, which seems odd.

3) This may be normal with all cars, but when I am taking a tight corner at around 20 mph, I hear this constant "woooooooooo" noise when taking the turn. It seems louder when making a right turn. The steering wheel is not at the limits of turning when the noise occurs. The noise goes away when I straighten out my wheels.

4) Lastly, after turning off my car after driving for a while, I can hear a ticking noise coming from the exhaust manifold. I know that this is common in all cars, but the ticking noise coming from my car is much louder than that of other cars. Im driving a V6.

Im hoping that the last two are common issues, but Im a little worried about the first two. Any help is appreciated, thanks all.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

1) strange squealing could be caused by the pavement. Certain parking lots have that floor that the squelling comes when you turn your wheels whithout moving forward..i'm guessing your were just going a tad bit fast!


2) No idea?

3) Any wheel upgrades....is something touching the inside wheel well???

4) Common..i find it sexy! simple explanation condenation dropping on heated object making tad-tad-tad noices

[SiegSolara]

Thanks for the reply, Jai

1) I dont think it was the pavement, because I really wasnt going that fast. The noise definately sounded mechanical, not squeaky like payment, more like metal on metal. I was thinking it could be the bearing, however, Im not sure on it.

2) Yeah, its pretty tough to describe.

3) I did have my front left and front right wheel bearings replaced recently. I wonder if something is not aligned properly.

4)

[2002greenhornet]

How many miles on the car?

1. A bearing problem seems unlikely. You're more likely to hear it 'sing' at high speeds if it's a dry bearing. Especially if it's only twice, I'd not worry too much about it.

2. I wonder if this could be a loose heat shield somewhere... Does it sound muffled, like it's inside something, or louder like it's out in the open?

3. Doesn't sound common, but maybe I don't understand your description of the sound. "woooooooo" could conjure different things for me than you intend. Dry CV Joint? Maybe inspect the CV boots for wear and leakage. Could this be related to 1, or possibly even 1 -3 are all related?

4. Sounds like the car is just cooling and contracting normally... If it make the ticking noise while it's running, it could be a blown exhaust manifold gasket.

[SiegSolara]

Heya greenhornet,

I've got 66000 miles on the car.

2) Hrmm, it sounds like its coming from the engine, sounds enclosed. You know when the engine sound is revving loud enough that you know that it will soon change gears? Rev it slightly higher than that point, and it the noise starts. Its faint, but noticable. Sounds like a small fan thats spinning too fast. Sounds maybe even like a small motor thats spinning too fast.

3) Its sounds pretty close to what it sounds like when you crank the wheel to the steering limit. That constant noise it makes. However, its not as loud sounding, its softer sounding.

I didnt see any noticable leakage coming from the cv joint boot, however, I wont rule out that option.