Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension I can't tell what it is.

Sounds like the springs may be B&G. Does the car sit lower than most that you see. There were two options from B&G: a 1.6" drop and the 2.25" drop called the Autobahn Series. My B&G 1.6" drop springs have no markings on them except for maybe model #'s. I cant remember for sure if they even had those.
Secondly, my bet as far as the noises would be the strut mount/bearing rings. They take a lot of beating especially with lowered springs on factory struts. When you turn the wheel to the right does it sound like grinding roller skate wheels? If not, then you have to start thinking about other things like Power steering and the like. There aren't a tremendous amount of moving parts down there so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out where the noises are coming from. Have a friend turn the wheel over and see if you can pinpoint the noise origin and then get back to us with more information.

From your second post it sounds AT FIRST like a wheel bearing going out. Does the noise come from the left side of the car when you are turning right?? But then I've also never heard a bad wheel bearing when sitting still and turning the wheel. Maybe RAY can chime in about this...He's had more experience with the wheel bearing issues than I have.