I have an issue, I am thinking it is the wheel bearing, I havent jacked it up and pulled/pushed on the tire like most wheel bearing tests but here are my symptoms:

1: Tues. I removed my steelies(195/65-15 tire, 15x6 stock wheel) and put my aftermarket rims(245/45-17 tire, 17x7.5 +38 offset wheel) back on.

2: Wed. I started hearing a faint clicking when braking on the front drivers side, first wondered if it may be the wheel being loose, checked and lugs were tight.

3. Thurs. The noise became louder but still only occurred under braking only.

4. Fri. Noise started occuring during acceleration, braking, coasting, and right turns. Would not sound during left turns at all even under heavy braking and acceleration.

5. Sat.(today) Noise got quite loud but otherwise same symptoms as Friday.

I am really only driving about 10-15 miles per day max. I am not entirely sure it is the wheel bearing so I figured I would post up as close to a detailed description as I could and see what people's opinions are. Do you agree it is the wheel bearing? Also do cobalts have pressed bearings or not? Does anyone have a part number? If you dont agree with my diagnosis what other parts do you suggest it could be?

All input appreciated.

 

after you put your offset wheels on, you should have checked your clearance between the wheel and the break caliper, if you didn't already do that. if you didn't do it, that would explain why it doesn't happen on left hand turns. when you make a left hand turn the flex of the side wall probably pulls the wheel enough away from the caliper that you don't hear the noise.

 

if you want, try throwing your old wheels/tires back on the front and try it. however to me it sounds like the left wheel bearing is bad.

 

These wheels I have had on before in the same positions they are now. I have had these wheels since Nov of 2k7 and took them off a couple months ago cause I had a nail in one, was lazy about putting them back on and had some time to kill a little while ago. the rims arent hitting the brake caliper.

What is weird is that last night it stormed really bad and I drove some puddles that came above the bottom of the doors and since then it hasnt made noise...

 

sorry that this response is really late, but better late than never!

it sounds like something, possibly a pebble, was stuck and by riding through the deep water it washed out whatever was causing the clicking. My only question now would be, when the problem happened on acceleration, did the sound increase in speed? If it doesn't reoccur, it sounds like the equivalent of using mouthwash to clean between your teeth (best analogy I could think of).