Front end noise

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Sep 16, 2008 | 11:43 AM

Irelands child

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 12

From: Upstate NY

Front end noise

My wife's '03 Escape 4WD with 45K miles seems to have a rumble/growl in the left front while driving - particularly at road speeds. While I haven't done any investigating yet am curious if this is a common or not unusual problem with these vehicles. Doing a search here doesn't seem to indicate any problem areas but I may not have used the correct search terms.

Does any one have a shop manual drawing of the front hubs/CVs they could scan and forward here so I can do my diagnosis other then with hope and blind luck or lack thereof??

(If it still had the crummy Continental tires I'd change them but it has had Yokohama's since about 30K - and that took care of some other nagging noises and vibration)

Sep 16, 2008 | 12:21 PM

Jonas1022

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 629

Likes: 2

From: DFW Metromess, TX.

Kinda normal wear issue. The solution is some bushing replacements for some, and more parts for others. Of the posts that I have read on other forums, for the 4 X 4, it's usually replacement urethane bushings that does the trick. I can't really say, I have never had this experience, just recalling what others have posted up as their resolution.

Sep 23, 2008 | 01:19 AM

highlandescape

Freshman User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 45

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probably the wheel bearing. does the noise quiet down when you turn the wheel slightly to the left? i have replaced the left front wheel bearing twice on my 02. and both times it was making the noise

Sep 23, 2008 | 06:47 AM

Irelands child

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 12

From: Upstate NY

While I haven't gotten to it yet, do have a strong feeling that it is a bearing. Since it's a 4WD car, I have to see a "picture" of what I'm getting into before I take it apart. Guess it's a "harass my Ford guy day"

Sep 23, 2008 | 08:01 AM

pacrewchief

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2007

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Sounds like a wheel bearing. I replaced both of the front ones on my 2001 at about 85k. Good luck.

Nov 12, 2008 | 03:42 PM

UncleRedBuck

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Joined: Mar 2007

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I am expereincing the same problem with my wifes 2005....it has 34,000miles on it.
I just pulled it out of storage and got 2 dummy lights, "4x4 service" and "emissions".
IMO it sounds like a wheel bearing or a really rusted rotor......it's at the dealership right not for diagnosis......I will let you know what I find out.
It was noticeable when driving but horrible when applying the brake.

Nov 12, 2008 | 03:54 PM

Irelands child

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,899

Likes: 12

From: Upstate NY

I guess I should have followed up with this thread - mine ended up being some really noisy Yokohama tires. I would have liked to have believed I was smarter then that but....