New here - bypassed the newb-hello section, sorry... but HELLO EVERYONE !!!

I have a '06 Eclipse GT with 57,000km on it; just bought it 4 weeks ago. Everything is pristine (so I thought) until I noticed a 'grinding/crunching' sound coming from the passenger rear when I accelerate with a slightly heavy foot after being at a full stop. I only hear it when I accelerate hard from a full stop, in first gear, turning right; When I turn left, I haven't heard the sound. After the initial 'grind/crunch/groan/creak' sound subsides within less than 1/2 second from accelerating, then I don't hear it again with normal driving.

The sound comes from the passenger rear suspension and almost sounds like a worn-out coil spring (if it exists on Eclipse) being stressed by being compressed, or decompressed too much... kind of a metal-coil-spring on metal-frame GROANING type of thing. I would almost liken it to a creaking floor board in an old house, but with a metallic sound to it.

Since I am new to Mits and the Eclipse model, I don't know much about the mechanics on the back end and I haven't had the time to hoist her up to take a look. I did walk to the passenger rear of the car and 'bounce' the rear end by lifting and pushing down on the bumper to see if I could simulate the sound, but no luck.

One more thing which may be related: I noticed a slight 'whirring' sound from the same end of the car when I put her into 5th gear (city) around 90km/h. At first I thought this might be tire noise but now I suspect the wheel bearing(s) may be worn. I have recognized the sound of worn bearings on my other vehicles because it becomes noticeable after driving it for a while... as this is a new car to me and I don't know what 'road-noise' to expect, I have to be proactive and check the bearings ASAP.
Any chance that worn bearings may be the actual cause of the GRINDING/CRUNCHING/MOANING/CREAKING I hear when giving her some extra fuel when turning RIGHT from a standing start?

Any responses are appreciated.

EDIT:
It rained pretty hard here today and the noise was there every time I accelerated from a stop... even a gentle acceleration caused the noise. Could it be some sort of rubber boot making the groaning noise? Strange that the noise is very pronounced when driving in wet conditions.