First, picked here in "Repair & Restoration > Other" since I don't know where to best post this situation.
Got my 96 LSS about 6 months ago, and seller made mention of a shimmy to pay attention to when I test drove the car prior to the purchase of it. Also mentioned the need for "one side" (he didn't recall which) front needing new wheel bearing, as well as the likelihood of at least one if not both warped disks needing replaced. When I bought the car from him, he gave me the new front bearing he'd bought to replace the bad side (right side) bearing.

By the time I got around to replacing both front brake disks, brake shoes, and "that" one side (right side) bad bearing, the car would make a definite grind like a bad bearing whenever going around a corner to the left. (Standard bad bearing diagnosis, turn left, get sound, bad bearing on the right, generally.) Well, replaced the right side bearing, after verified bad by gripping right-side tire at 12 and 6 and getting considerable play. Left felt tight.
(Wow, Olds should be commended for making replacing of all 3 of these components (shoes, disks, bearings) so easily done.)

So, parts replaced, (shoes, disks, 1 bearing, the right side) but still essentially the same "sound" as before and does it when simply only slightly putting left turn pressure on steering wheel. Had not noticed the ease of making the sound before the repair, would listen for it "doing a turn". (I might add I have some hearing loss, so somewhat limited, though I could hear it in a turn) Now, can easily "turn on" or "turn off" the sound by simply for +-1 second put slight "left turn" pressure on the steering wheel, to turn on sound, and release pressure by driving straight to turn off sound. ps. Passenger riding shotgun claimed he could "feel" the sound through his feet on the floor board when I made it off and on. (And no, have not bothered to double check the status of the brand new bearing now that it is mounted in place on the car, by blocking up, gripping at 12 and 6, and feeling for play. Yes I know, I shouldn't assume anything, but I have/do/did, in the case of "that"bearing.)

Seeking more than simple guesstimates of what is making this sound now. ie. some other spot that may "likely" be still making "the" sound.
Just my brain fart pondering of possibles. Bad axle joint related possibility? Yes breaking my rule about making "guess"timates, since I've no clue what to check for damage now, nor how.

 

If it isn't the wheel bearings, the second most likely source of a sound while turning in a FWD car is bad CV joints in the half-shafts.

 

I concur!

Plus the dust shield on the brakes can flex cornering too.

 

only replaced 1 side bearing? check the other. may be a rear bearing,transfering sound

 

Bad CV joints are usually a clack clack noise, wheel bearing is a growl, not really a grind like worn out pads usually sounds like. If you found play in that old right wheel bearing then it was bad so you did good. You are right about left turning usually will cause a growl in the right bearing, but not always, depends on if the noise is coming from the inner or outer bearing inside the sealed front wheel bearing. I have been fooled before. Unless you can see that the PO changed the left one lately, why not just replace it also? Oh, and tires can cause noise, you could rotate the tires and see if the noise changes.. Let us know how you come out.

 

Okay, so I recently simply bought a front wheel bearing for the "same side" as the steering wheel turn.
ie. All (most) the reports say if ya turn left and making the noise, problem is on the right wheel. (It wasn't! DANG IT!!!)
Well, since I had replaced all on the right, and all but the wheel bearing on the left, I opted to switch out that left wheel bearing.
Did so and noise is gone. Though there's no play or grinding in the old wheel bearing when spun not mounted on/in the vehicle.
Phew! Thankfully, problem solved.

 

LOL the last time i said half shaft the parts guy chuckled and said theyre called drive axles now !

Ive been waiting a good 15 years to hear some one else say half shaft.

 

Every time the wife comes for a ride I hear that Annoying sound also.

 

leftlaneonly, "May" need to replace wheel bearings to be capable of carrying the extra load, (but I'd never mention it to her)!
In my case, it was the noise I was able to be rid of by changing my bearings. Good luck with your annoying sound.