First of all, I'm new to the site, and to 3rd-gen cars too really. I recently bought an '86 Trans Am, and it's in great shape except for a grinding/dragging noise that it makes sometimes. I've noticed that it's usually bad after I've had the car up to highway speed for any length of time, like on a road trip or even a 15-minute trip on the freeway. Then, when I slow down, it makes this awful grinding noise when I turn the car at slow speeds. After the car has been sitting for several hours, the noise is gone again. I have to say, it's kind of embarassing to pull up to a drive thru window or a gas station in my bad-*** car, only to have it sound like a clunker. What could this be? I won't be fixing it myself because I'm not nearly knowledgable enough, but I don't want to go to the mechanic empty-handed and end up paying $1000 and not getting the problem fixed. An acquaintence suggested polyurethane bushings...

Any help or suggestions would be great, thanks!

 

Check if your tires are rubbing the inside of the fenderwell. My 85 used to do that if I turned sharp. look at the inside near the frame.
other than that you'll need to give more details like is the noise happening at the speed of the tire turning or with the engine rpm.

 

It's not a wheel rub... doesn't matter how sharp I'm turning. Doesn't change with RPM either. I don't know about speed, since I can only hear it at low speeds because my tires hum. Could it be the wheel bearing is getting hot and making noise?

 

Best thing IMO is to pull that wheel and spin it by hand. You may hear some dragging from the brakes. May have chunked a pad or somthing there. A bearing will wear out quickly once it begins making noise. I cut half a spindle the last time I had one go out.
It's worth the look to pull off the caliper too when doing it.
You may just stumble on the actaul cause while you're in there.
good luck.

 

I was re-reading your original post and your freind may have been on to something.
Try spraying some lubricant on the front end bushings to see if they are dried out and causing the noise. I do remember mine making some pretty heavy "creaks" when turning the wheel.
That won't cost anything but a can of spray lubricant. also have the front end greased up, might need it.