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couple mechanical issues

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kstu

Golden Member
hey, not very mechanically inclined guy here. was hoping some of you might be able to give me some information about something ive been noticing.

not sure that it matters, but it's a 2003 saturn L300. lately, at low speeds (<15 or 20 mph) i've noticed a wuhwuhwuhwuhwuh sound coming from what seems to be the right front wheel area when im coasting/braking to a stop (rate slows as car slows obviously). car doesn't pull at all in either direction though. any thoughts on what this might be? do i need to get this into a shop right away?

also, how hard is it to replace a horn? mine seems to be crippled.

thanks at-garage.
 
Does it sound like an airplane propeller? Could be wheel bearing.

(Don't forget to check the tire for something simple like a rock stuck in the tread.)
 
warped rotor would also exhibit a pulsing sensation under braking.
Torn or loose CV boot.
Funkalacious tire.
Get a multimeter or idiot light. have someone push horn and see if there is any power getting to it. Work backwards, look at fuse, then at contacts in wheel (Not for the beginner there).
 
Worn tires
Out of balance wheel
Stuck brake caliper

Less likely would be steering related issues like worn ball joints/tie rod ends, perhaps a bad strut mount.

You could start by swapping your wheels around to see if the sound moves. That would tell you if it's a wheel/tire issue.

If it the noise does move, take it to a tire shop, tell them what's happening and ask if they think it could be a tire wear issue or more likely a wheel balance issue.

If the noise doesn't move, at this point you're probably best going to a shop you can trust and having them look at it. It will likely need some steering/suspension parts replaced and an alignment. This will not be cheap.

Installing a new horn isn't bad, just connecting wires and mounting it. I'd imagine it gets tricky in either finding the stock horn (this could be buried about somewhere) or mounting an aftermarket one and tapping the right wires.

I'd start by getting a Haynes manual (really cheap on half.com) and seeing how much of a bitch it is to get to the horn.
 
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