Volkswagen Repair: 2003 1.8T GTI manual, sway bar bushings, front wheel bearing

Question
Hey Rocky,  my car makes a low rumble when I slightly turn the the steering wheel to the right.  Pretty sure it's the bearing in one of my front tires but which side.  Also there is a click and a bang sometimes when I start off in a gear and it usually happens in reverse while turning the wheel.  Is this also caused by the bearing.

Answer
Hi Paul;
If it is the wheel bearing, then, if the noise is louder(?) when turned right, then it is the left front wheel bearing, or the left front CV joint, especially if there is a clicking, and "bang" during other driving situations.  Have you gotten under the car to inspect these items for yourself?  There is another possibility with a manual transmission.  Since it is possible to deliver ALL of the torque, all at once to the front drive axles, through the clutch(unlike the automatic transmission limitation...the torque converter)the differential "case" bearings could be compromised, or at the worst, the transmission case(confusing terminology..., different part), where the bearing races seat could be "wallowed out," and permitting the bearing to move around in a way that is NOT supposed to.

Aside:  In a differential, "case" refers to the gearset inside the ring gear...in fact the ring gear is bolted to, or fastened to, the "case."  This part is know by it's slang reference..."pumpkin."  However, case is the appropriate terminology.  The other term, "case" refers to the transaxle case, which is one piece that holds two parts...the transmission, and the differential.  That is what makes this container, or case, a transaxle, and not just a transmission.

So, my initial concern would be to inspect all right "drive" wheel suspension components, and drive components.  If this noise occurs at all speeds, and accelerator positions, wheel bearing is the first suspect, but don't stop there.  Look at the CV boot, CV joint, sway bar bushings, end link(s), drive axle(s), axle flange(s), flange seal(s), and especially for any "runout"(out of round, or out of circular motion), or "play" of the axle flanges themselves, indicating a damaged transaxle case.  I hope I explained this stuff so you can understand all of my references.  If you are left with questions about what these parts are, or how to find them, look into the "Bentley's" Volkswagen repair manual for your Mk IV Golf/GTI.  Good luck, Paul.