Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Grinding noise

My car developed some grinding noise from the front. I can't tell exactly where it's from, but it sounds like something from the wheel or axle, or beaing. I don't think it's the wheel bearings because I have replaced the right side bearing twice and left side once already, and the grinding noise doesn't sound like when the beaings went bad. The noise doesn't really get louder or weaker when I turn neither; but it does gets louder when braking or at the bottom of a bump, and gets quieter when accelerating or at the top of a bump. The noise also sounds like on/off, and it goes faster when I go faster. Can this be the intermediate shaft bearing? How can I check the intermediate shaft bearing to see if it's bad?

maybe the CV joints

Just to be sure, jack the car, put it on jack stands, remove the wheels and check out the brakes to be sure there isn't a problem. Also check the pads to be sure they are ok.

FYI, I used to have a viehicle that made a similar sound. I thought it was the wheel bearings, and when I repacked the bearings it would go away for about 6000-8000 miles. After 3 times repacking and one replacement of the bearings and outter races I discovered it was the grease seals. I just packed a bunch of grease behind the seal before installing it and the noise never happened again as long as I owned it.

Where's that grease seal you're talking about?

I doubt it's the CV joint because it's not clicking. And I replaced the right side CV joint when I first replaced the right front wheel bearing last year. The left side just got repacked with new boot a few months ago too.

Contour front hub bearings are a twin 'back to back' design,sealed ,as are most FWD front hubs...

So, what could that grinding noise be coming from, Terry?

its your front wheel bearings they were obviously installed wrong

what are you saying?

I had a grinding noise from my front end that happened when it was cold...ended up being the transmission mount.

Both front and rear motor mounts were replaced a few months ago when I had the tranny rebuilt. Though, the mount bolts might be snapped because I've been getting mad wheelhop lately.

Check your tires. How old are they? I had the same problem, had the brakes checked and replaced and it was still there. I was going to do alignment, but there seems to be no symptoms for this. I asked two mechanics and they checked and said to replace my tires. I was hesitant because the tires looked fine, but they were the stock tires (1996). So, I changed them even though it's against my own opinion. Guess what? The mechanics were right.