“It was a ring on the inner joint of the cv shaft rubbing the transmission housing. This ring is basically just a dust boot and can be removed without hurting the vehicle, the seal on the output shaft bearing does a well enough job keeping things out.”

I am not driving this Saturn atm. I am taking it to a shop whenever I have the time. I know it’s difficult to diagnose a problem by describing a noise on the internet.

From the Pré Vérel refuge, you take a great mountain path and reach Pointe de la Rochette, where a first incredible panorama of Lake Annecy and the surrounding peaks awaits you. The day starts… read more

If it’s the inner CV joint slightly interfering with the transmission housing your shop should be able to confirm that by wear patterns on the interfering parts. If that’s the only problem the best path is probably to keep everything installed as-is and just ignore the noise. If this just started for no apparent reason, no work done in that area prior, one has to wonder why it is happening now? That inner CV joint moves with the axle as the wheel goes over bumps, during turns, etc. So there may be a problem brewing with the front suspension or steering. Good idea to have the front suspension & steering parts checked.

A very nice first stage, which takes you from the charming village of Samoëns to the heart of the Sixt-Passy nature reserve. The guiding thread of this day is water. From torrents to cascades, you will never stop being surprised ... and refreshed!

Transmission fluid level is good. Fluid is very clean, pink of color and almost transparent in the paper towel. No burnt smells.

Like I mentioned before, the noise is totally absent when you are giving it some gas but comes back once you let go the gas.

I was going about 10 mph to 20 mph in very heavy traffic when I noticed some sort of whistling noise coming from the driver side wheel as I passed by the cars on my left.

Your first challenge of the day is the ascent of the Col de la Portette. A rather gradual ascent, except for a short, slightly steep section just before arriving at the pass. From there, a superb… read more

A slightly shorter stage and very different from the previous one, which will allow you to discover the dolines of Margériaz before going back down to Les Déserts.

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My car I noticed the shrill noise for a few years. Halfway into a 500 mile trip the wheel bearing went out. Drove it the other half and got it replaced. Not saying it is what you should do, just my story. No sqeak or squeal after new wheel bearing.

My Saturn had an intermediate shaft on one side so the axles could be the same length. That intermediate shaft has a bearing in it and that could become noisy. Not sure what it would sound like though.

From the Roc des Boeufs gîte, you continue on a superb mountain path dominated by Mont Chabert on your right and Mont Julioz on your left. You pass the Church of Saint Jean-Baptiste… read more

When the car was still warming up. I drove around town at different speeds and couldn’t hear the noise at all. After 10 to 15 minutes of driving I started hearing the squealing/squeaky noise.

I wanted to record a video at 1 AM and upload it here but my phone’s mic is trash and you can’t hear anything at all in the video.

You leave Chambéry through Calamine Park, then through Etincelle Park. A nice point of view on the Bauges, and in particular on the Nivolet, awaits you there. Yesterday you were up there!

You return to the GR and begin your gradual descent towards La Balme de Thuy, a pretty little village in the Thônes valley. You cross the Annecy road and begin your ascent to Pointe de Talamarche, an astonishing… read more

When in doubt, get it checked out. Go to the shop where you buy your tires, get your tires rotated, and ask them to check the bearings.

I searched the Saturn Fans forums and found someone with the same problem. Link to the video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yof6ggFXKjo

You leave Aillon-le-Jeune and take a path between fields and forests. A pleasant way to warm up. You quickly arrive at Place à Baban, where… read more

You leave from Reposoir in the direction of the GR, which you reach after about five kilometers of walking. You follow a pretty forest path before arriving in the pastures of Col des Annes. It is in these mountain… read more

On my 2002 Saturn, the rear wheel bearing that went bad made a noise like a noisy tire, i.e. a mud and snow tire or all terain tire. In fact the original tires masked the noise so I didn’t discover that it had a defective bearing until I put on some premium tires.

Wheel bearing noise shouldn’t change much whether you’re in the throttle or off throttle, as long as you’re rolling. As mentioned wheel bearing noise will change when turning. Generally the noise is more pronounced when turning in the opposite direction of the bad bearing. Since the noise changes with throttle input, I’m not certain it’s wheel bearing related…

Be sure to inspect your axle boots but if they tear, the CV joint will go quickly, but that makes a clicking sound on turns. Do not remove any dust shields. If there is any interference, just bend the dust shield away.

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You leave Les Déserts at the start of the stage and begin your descent towards Chambéry, the final destination of this tenth stage.

Yeah I took the car for a test drive at 1 am and I couldn’t hear any humming, droning noise. I have hear wheel bearings going bad before in my previous vehicles, but this is sounds nothing like it.

“It was a ring on the inner joint of the cv shaft rubbing the transmission housing. This ring is basically just a dust boot and can be removed without hurting the vehicle, the seal on the output shaft bearing does a well enough job keeping things out.”

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I think this might be a good time to replace your ATF. Just do a drain and refill using Dexron VI instead of Dexron III. The oil filter is on the top or side of the transmission and is a spin on so it is easy to replace. Transmission fluid should be bright red. Pink indicates it is near the end of its life. It will start to turn brown soon and that would not be good. I would not flush, just drain, change the filter and refill.

Canada second hand car

Usually bad bearings are reported as a growling noise, louder the faster you go. Or as a rhythmic rrrr rrrr rrrr noise, most apparent in parking lot slow-speed driving, often during turning. But a whistling sound is certainly possible, especially as a first sign of a failing bearing. Ask you shop to double check the differential fluid level too; if low that can cause sort of a whirring/whistling noise. On your SL2 checking the differential fluid level is probably the same procedure as the transmission fluid level.

I don’t own my Saturn anymore, I sold it after I retired as it became redundant. I wish I still had it, last I heard was about a year ago and it was still on the road then.

About the fourth kilometer, I suggest you exit the GR to go to the Croix du Nivolet. The Croix du Nivolet is quite a symbol when you live in the region. This monumental cross… read more

When the front wheel bearings went out at 275k, they sounded like a airplane propeller but only made an audible noise above 50 mph.

Thanks for replying. I just found this video on the Saturn Fans forums. I am wondering if you can take a look since you also own a Saturn. The noise you hear in this video is exactly the same noise I hear in my car. Link to the video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yof6ggFXKjo

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I am sure it is the wheel because the sound seems to swing back and forth. If you accelerate the noise goes away but as soon as you let go the gas the noise comes back, and it gets worse the faster you go. I also tried this on neutral.

No noise until the vehicle has warmed up. That got me worried about my transmission so I checked the transmission fluid, and it is good. The fluid is pink to almost transparent. No burnt smells.

Transmission and differential bearings make a whistling noise when they are going bad and it is dependent on throttle pressure. If you have a manual transmission, it uses Dexron III as the lubricant. It has a dipstick so you can check the level and color of the ATF. If it is low, add some more. You could probably use a thickener the increase it’s viscosity and mask the noise, but don’t use very much.

I am wondering if you know what “ring” is he referring to because he also says it is “basically a dust boot”? I am confused.

Tacoma Canada

Also, I have heard the sound of bad wheel bearings before in the other vehicles I used to own. I had to replace 3 of them. I am familiar with that droning/humming noise, and that it gets worse when turning or at certain speeds but no such thing is happening on this Saturn.

This eighth stage takes you through the Bauges regional natural park and brings you to the small village of Aillon-le-Jeune.

Three mountain ranges, one adventure: this is what awaits you on the GR 96. You hike across some of France’s dramatic mountains – the Giffre massif, the Aravis range and the Bauges peaks. The landscapes are spectacular; think green mountain pastures, thousand-year-old waterfalls, limestone deserts, and mountain paths backdropped by Mont Blanc. With marmots, ibexes, chamois, unique geology and small mountain villages, this is a route to remember. The GR 96 is not technically difficult, but you need to have a good level of fitness before you set off on its paths. You cover just over 225 kilometres (139 mi) with almost 13,000 metres (42,650 ft) of climbing. It’s quite the challenge. I’ve divided this incredible route into 11 stages so you have plenty of time to enjoy it. Each stage ends at a place where you can find accommodation. If you hike during the summer, I recommend booking your nights at a refuge in advance either online or by calling them. Wild camping is allowed between 7 pm and 9 am along the whole route. However, take care to pitch your tent away from sheep pens and livestock. You’ll probably be more disturbed than the animals if you camp too close to them. Some refuges let you pitch your tent nearby – I’ve mentioned in the Tour descriptions when this is the case. You can enjoy local specialities and the cosy atmosphere in the mountain chalets while still sleeping in the fresh air. This is the best of both worlds for me. You can easily reach Samoëns, the starting point of the GR 96, by bus from the SNCF train station in Cluses. The Y94 bus takes around 35 minutes. From Entremont-le-Vieux, where the GR ends, you can take a bus to Chambéry and return home from there. The C4 bus takes you directly from the village to the SNCF station in Chambéry. For more information on buses and timetables, see: cars-region-savoie.fr. This route passes through some of the most emblematic passes and summits of the Alps. I recommend hiking between the end of June and the end of September when the highest passes are snow free and you’re able to fully enjoy the mountain flora.

You leave Magland and take the direction of the mountain pastures of Mont-Ferrond. You walk on a pretty forest path for a few kilometers before leaving the woods and arriving in front of… read more

“It was a ring on the inner joint of the cv shaft rubbing the transmission housing. This ring is basically just a dust boot and can be removed without hurting the vehicle, the seal on the output shaft bearing does a well enough job keeping things out.”

A short ascent takes you first to the top of Col de la Forclaz. From there, you take a last look at Lac de Lessy before starting a long and beautiful descent to Entremont. You pass summits exposed to the freshness… read more