Crunching noise front passenger side in general

[Birdman330]

When the G8 sits overnight sometimes when I start the engine put it in reverse and begin to back up I get a crunching noise from the front right area of the car. If I turn very tight to the left sometimes to the right the crunching noise will happen. Now the issue is the noise isn't consistent, sometimes a week can pass or a few days before the noise happens. I've tried bouncing the car to get the noise to happen but no avail, if it were a strut the noise would be pretty much all the time. I do not know the service history of the G8 but I am assuming it may have been brought in to have the front suspension looked at under recall, dealership saw nothing wrong and sent it on its way and or its never been brought in under recall at all. Any ideas?

[Panzer Leader]

Look forward to seeing an answer on this one.

[dandragonrage]

My first thought for a noise described as "crunching" that happens on tight turns would be the wheel bearing, but I can't confidently tell you that your problem is that, especially without personally hearing the sound. It could be many things from sway bar links to control arms or bad strut mounts/bearings. Hopefully someone else here will be able to narrow it down more.

As for the dealer, unfortunately not many US GM dealers have much experience with the G8. I still don't know of a competent dealership near me when it comes to G8s.

[Birdman330]

If it were a bearing because I work for an outside automotive shop, it would howl on me at highway speeds if it were about ready to go. The bearings are tight on the front. I'm leaning towards the control arms and or bushings, I did how ever yesterday find that the front passenger side fender panel bolts on the top were loose so I tightened them down. I'm possibly thinking that this may be loose body paneling.

[dandragonrage]

Doesn't seem to me like that should make a very loud noise, but let's hope that was the cause. P.S. bad wheel bearings do not always howl on the highway, at least not at first. Not that I am convinced that the bearing is the problem or anything.

[Birdman330]

I have yet to get underneath and check the paneling under but once again the noise is not occurring so with fingers and toes crossed I will see what happens.

[Birdman330]

I'm taking it in today, last night it was getting annoying on me.


Edit: Lower Control Arm Bolts were loose, brought the vehicle in, tech went for a ride along. I got the noise to happen though it wasn't as loud as it normally was but it was loud enough for him to hear. Threw it on the hoist, checked it out found the bolts loose and the bushings dry on the sway bar links. Tech tightened the bolts, lubed up the bushings and the noise so far so good is gone. The car is on watch for the next few days making sure the noise is gone.