YACT: Diagnose this sound - updated for new issue

[GasX]

When travelling at highways speeds, I hear a sound that is similar to that of driving over a rumble strip. It only occurs when the wheel is turned left. I believe it is likely a bearing wearing down, but would appreciate some more insight before I take it in.

Also, is this something that has to be fixed TODAY or can I put it off for a few hundred miles?

Note - the car is a 1998 Ford Contour SVT ( FWD & Manual Tranny )

update The odometer / spedometer stopped working today. Anyone know which wheel it is hooked up to and whether or not this is somehow possibly related?

 

[Eli]

wheel bearing, or perhaps something is loose/stuck in your wheel well.

 

[toph99]

check brake pads for uneven wear. If it grinds only when turning one direction i'd say it's the CV joint. a bearing will grind all the time, and just worsen when it is the outside wheel in a turn.

 

[GasX]

So how long does it take for a CV joint to die after the sound appears?

And what should the repair cost?

 

[WhiteKnight77]

As a mechanic, I find it really hard to diagnose a sound without actually hearing it.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight77
As a mechanic, I find it really hard to diagnose a sound without actually hearing it.

pretend for a minute that it is the CV joint...

 

[GasX]

update bump

 

[Ryan]

Ah ha!!! I have found your problem - YOU BOUGHT A FORD. Next question, please

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: rbloedow
Ah ha!!! I have found your problem - YOU BOUGHT A FORD. Next question, please

blah blah blah

 

[GasX]

 

[shekondar]

Originally posted by: Mwilding[/i The odometer / spedometer stopped working today. Anyone know which wheel it is hooked up to and whether or not this is somehow possibly related?

AFAIK on most cars it's connected to the transmission... the speedometer cable should be sticking out of the side of the transmission, usually at the rear

 

[desertdweller]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
When travelling at highways speeds, I hear a sound that is similar to that of driving over a rumble strip. It only occurs when the wheel is turned left. I believe it is likely a bearing wearing down, but would appreciate some more insight before I take it in.

Also, is this something that has to be fixed TODAY or can I put it off for a few hundred miles?

Note - the car is a 1998 Ford Contour SVT ( FWD & Manual Tranny )

update The odometer / spedometer stopped working today. Anyone know which wheel it is hooked up to and whether or not this is somehow possibly related?

What Whiteknight77 said is correct, you really can't diagnose a noise properly without hearing it.

As far as CV joints go, there is no telling how long they will last when they start making noise. I once had
a honda civic that I drove for over a year with both CVs making noise and they never broke, I just replaced
them anyway.

Spedometers work different in different cars. Alot of cars now have the Spedo working off the ABS system.
If the car doesn't have ABS, then it probably has a gear in the transmission.

You should take it somewhere and have it looked at.

DD

Edit:: I suppose it could be related if one of your ABS sensors are contacting the tone wheel. you can look at
that, it will be right on the inside of the knuckle.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
update The odometer / spedometer stopped working today. Anyone know which wheel it is hooked up to and whether or not this is somehow possibly related?

It's connected to the transmission.

 

[DivideBYZero]

This could even be a wheel balancing issue. The weight may have flown off the rim and now you have one wheel that is not balanced. This would give you a rumbling sound too.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i'm going to say that the rumbling is a wheel bearing and that the vehicle speed sensor is dead and your check engine light is on.

 

[Quixfire]

The 1998 Contour uses the ABS wheel speed sensors to determine vehicle speed and distance. If you speed sensor was failing you should have a yellow ABS light on the dash.

As for the noise, wheel bearing were a common cause for the type of noise you are hearing. Also check to see if either of your front coil springs are broken. Coil spring fratures are common on this vehicle and could cause this type of noise in a corner.

Good Luck, please post what you find.