Noises from axles can be really deceiving. The sound is transfered throuh the transaxle and can resonate through the entire vehicle. The turning to the left thing makes it sound like a problem in the right wheel/axle area. Wheel bearings and axles tend to make worse noise when they are on the OUTSIDE of the turn. More of the vehicle weight is shifted to the outside due to centrifugal force. Thus, if the noise is louder when turning left, this puts the right axle to the outside of the turn and the most likely to be the source of the noise. (and vise-versa) The fact that the noise calms down while cruising makes me believe that it is not a wheel bearing. Wheel bearings can make more noise in turns, however, they usually make a "roaring" or loud "humming" noise that gets louder with speed. An axle is more likely to change or get louder according to engine load more than rotational speed. (Way worse while accelerating or climbing a hill) I would be taking a hard look at the right axle.
It could be coming from the right side, like a wheel bearing or a bad CV joint in the axle. When you turn left the weight of the vehicles inertia creates more weight on the right side suspension. Quite often right side wheel bearing only make a growling noise when turning left.
Another bizarre fact about this noise is all it takes is one passenger in the front passenger seat that weighs between 150 and 175 or more, and it doesn't make the sound no matter how hard I accelerate. I need to turn to the right fairly hard while accelerating to hear it for a very short and brief moment, if it does it at all.
Actually, that is not really bizarre at all. I'll try to explain...The angle of the right axle CV joints will change when the right side of the car is loaded. The CV joints actually slide in and out as the angle changes because the length of the shaft needs to change as the wheel changes it's alignment with the transmission. If you are like 99% of America, you probably drive your car most of the time with no passengers onboard. This causes the CV joints to be in the same position the biggest part of the time. They only move when hitting bumps, etc. For the most part, they don't move very much at all. This causes the "Tulip" part of the CV joint to wear in this one spot and causes excessive clearance between the Tulip and the balls inside the joint. This clearance is what causes the noise you are hearing. ("rattling") The balls are banging against the inside of the tulip. It also allows the axle shaft itself to move horizontally and vertically. This causes a "shudder" or "Shake" as the axle is now turning on more of an "ellipse" rather than a "circle". When the passenger side is loaded, the angle changes radically. The balls get pushed in to a different position inside the tulip where the excessive wear is not present. The noise and vibration is thus eliminated.
I would agree with dttech if you have eliminated the wheel bearing it sure sounds like a right front axle or CV joint. good luck.
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Another bizarre fact about this noise is all it takes is one passenger in the front passenger seat that weighs between 150 and 175 or more, and it doesn't make the sound at all no matter how hard I accelerate. I need to turn to the right fairly hard while accelerating to hear it for a very short and brief moment, if it does it at all.
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