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Dec 4, 2008 | 08:45 AM

Dustin_86

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My 99 auto zx2 ford escort has developed a bad hum from the drivers side from wheel area. I can not hear it with the window down, just from inside the car. It starts around 30mph and continues the noise up to exactly 60mph. if I slow down it will carry the noise to about 20mph or so. It does not change with the wheels turned"cornering". It does not make the sound above 60mph. Puting the trans in Neutral at 30-60mph made no diffrence. Shops want $75 to "diagnose" and the shops here in Waco look shady. I'm a college student on an extreme budget.Everyone says "wheelbearing" until the ride with me and the noise goes abway at 60mph. Maybe a CV axle, but it does not "click" when turning and grabbing the cv axle is a little play 1/8" but not much. The cv boot is not torn eather.
Help Please
Dustin
PS Stuck in waco, with no reputable people to help me fix it,in an apt complex, with college finals next week and worried that my car is going to cratter

Dec 4, 2008 | 12:33 PM

Lazy K

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Don`t know but if it was me I think I would swap the left front wheel with the rear to see if the noise changes.

Dec 4, 2008 | 12:48 PM

Flexfuel-Dave

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From: Central, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazy K

Don`t know but if it was me I think I would swap the left front wheel with the rear to see if the noise changes.

While you have the wheel in the air, see if the front wheel bearing is tired.

Stand facing the lug nuts. Grab the tire at the 12 and 6 O-clock postion. Gently try to twist the tire toward and away from you. Do you feel any play?

If you feel play, look to see if the movement is only at the axle or if the movement is also in the ball joint area. Only at the axle might be the wheel bearing.

If you don't feel any play, do the tire swap as previously suggested and take the car for a spin.

Keep us posted!

Dec 4, 2008 | 07:54 PM

Dustin_86

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I rotated the tires a week ago with no luck, What is strange is that in cold 30* tx weather it seems to quiet down some.

Dec 4, 2008 | 08:42 PM

wendell borror

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The most common problem on front wheel drive cars is a wheel bearing or CV, so your on the right trac. Useally when one side goes, the other isn't far behind.

Dec 4, 2008 | 11:35 PM

Dustin_86

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It wouln't be a wheel bearing if the noise quit above 60mph right? So A CV axlen must be it

Dec 5, 2008 | 06:51 PM

monckywrench

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If I do a CV axle on any of my personal vehicles, it gets a wheel bearing at the same time since it's little extra work. The parts should total about 120 bucks-ish.

If the front wheel bearing and axle "feel" tight I'd consider driving it (gently) until after your finals are finished next week.