My car makes a thumping sound coming from the passenger front wheel. It only makes this sound when the wheel is straight. It sounds like something is rubbing or hitting down there . The noise ceases when I brake.

 

Turned out to be lose lug nuts..... how the hell does that even happen?!

 

What wheels are you running? Are they the correct 5 x 4.75" (120.65mm) bolt pattern? Are you using the correct conical lug nuts?

Did you tighten the lugs to 100 lb-ft, in a star pattern, using a torque wrench? Did you apply any oil or lubricant to the studs?

 

I have the stock '97 rims with firehawk tires, and they were tightened properly with a torque wrench. I did not add oil or lube, however. The guy at the shop told me something along the lines of: when the wheels aren't taken off in a long time and there is some rust, it can build a small lip of rust that makes the wheel feel like it's on tighter than it actually is.