Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Front end noise... Rubbing at certain speeds

Hi All!
I'm quite new to this board so, if my questions have been answered in the past, forgive me. I have read some posts, but there are so many that it's probably quicker to ask.

Some History.
I bought my 98.5 Contour about 7 months ago (94000km) and have put 27000km on it since. It came off a lease.
- I haven't had any major trouble other than brakes and the Air bag light flashing.
- I have replaced the back brakes.
- The front driver-side rotor is now warped. (I have been told that they were new when I bought it and that it would be safe to drive if I couldn't afford to replace it, although it would be quite annoying). That was some time ago now. It hasn't gotten any worse.
- The Airbag light was flashing 4 times, then a pause, then twice, then a pause , then the cycle started again. I took it to the Ford dealer and they checked the recalls. All 6 recalls on my car had not been performed. Ford did them over 2 Saturdays.

My new problem is a "rubbing" sound at certain speeds. Between 60kph(35mph) and up to 100kph(60mph) I get a rubbing from the front passenger-side(I think). It sounds just like road noise only I can feel it through the gas pedal. As I accelerate up past 100kph it goes away.
The noise is most noticeable at around 90kph when I bank the car left (to change lanes, or on a slight left turn in the road). If I turn the steering wheel slightly to the left (about 1/4inch) the noise is present. If I turn the wheel to the right (about 1/4inch) the noise goes away temporarily.
I had it looked at (and explained this to the tech running the shop) and the result was they changed the Back Left Bearing????? But, this did not solve the problem! The shop wanted to look at it again (and charge me again for this "inspection") but I have refused. This was not at the Ford dealer, but a Canadian Tire shop close to where I work.

I would like to know if someone can tell me what the problem might be before I spend more $$$$.
I know I am going to have to replace the front Brakes and am trying to save the money, but this other problem seems more important right now.

I love the car. It handles like a dream. I commute about 120km total each day to work and back (all hi-way driving). My busy schedule has prevented me from taking it to the Ford Dealer. But, I think I might have to.

Anyone know the answer?

I have no clue what it is but I wouldn't recommend canadian tire for any kind of inspection at all they are not a place I would take my car ...

also what is the rubbing sound like...
look at tire wear maybe its ur alignment when i rotated my tires I started getting some rubbing noise around 60 km/h but it would go away as I speeded up... hope it helps

Thanx Mani,

It could be alignment, but When I take me hands off the wheel the car goes straight for quite a while. The alignment has only deteriorated slightly from the time I purchased the car.

As for the rubbing noise... It sounds exactly like when you drive over a rough piece of road. Road noise is the best way to describe it. There is no grinding, no scraping, just loud vibrating road noise... I'm as confused as you.

Thanx for your opinion of Canadian Tire. I won't use them in the future. I've used them in the past out of necessity and convenience.

sounds like a bearing to me while your at it do the rotors you may have damaged the bearing with the warped one

I guess it could be the bearing, but shouldn't they have checked that when I took it in the first time?
Or is it easier to pull off the back tires and replace one of those (even though it isn't the problem).

I have the exact thing (as best I can tell from your description). I first noticed it on the clover-leaf exits from interstate highways...as the I would have the car in a long right-handed turn, I would get occasional sounds from the right front which I first thought sounded like the tire rubbing (the sound similar to when a bicycle tire rubs against a fender...if you remember those on bikes)...or like you said the sound of when you run over those 'washboard' bumps on a highway.
The sound is occuring more often and tends to also be associated as the car bounces in the turn. I've waited to take it in to see what it's doing.

It may be your front sway bar. If you do a search for "Front Sway Bar", you'll find an easy way to test for it and a fairly cheap and easy fix.

I don't remember exactly what the test and fix was, that's why I'm suggesting you search.

- Zack

This is a long shot, but check the shield that is inside the front passenger side wheel well, covering the lower engine area.
Mine worked its way loose after the bolts fell out and made a similar noise.

I had a rubbing noise on my '95 SE, most noticeable going around off-ramps, and could be felt through the steering wheel. Turned out to be a broken motor mount. Don't know if this is similar to what you are experiencing, doesn't sound like it.

I experienced similar noise.. .initially sounded like separated belt. Inspected tires for telltale signs but no. It appeared to be intermittant so I have waited for it to develop further.

Now 5000 km's later it is sounding like 35" mudders at highway speed. suspect support bearing as sound is more pronounced while turning right. can actually get it to make noise doing a "slalom" at 40 km/h. on right hand turn only.

Heading to shop tomorrow to do regular maintenance and have this investigated. will feed back results.

98 mystique, auto, duratec V6, 112,000 km's