Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting whirring vibration front end low speed

Hi all:

I have a 97 ford contour 2.0L 5speed

Here is the problem

I can hear whirring noise from front end and feel vibration through the pedals at relatively low speed (around 30mph). What is weird is that the symptoms go away when DRIVING FASTER (past 50mph).

Behavior does not change when
I depress the clutch and/or go into neutral
I press on the brakes (so it should not be a brake rotor problem)

I am planning on doing the following asap:
1) switch back wheels to front, to rule out a tire balancing problem
2) check front wheel bearings

Anything else I should check ??

Thanks all,
iougs -

If you are able to rule out those two things, it may be an alignment issue. If you haven't had one done in a while its probably a good idea anyway.

Sounds like a front wheel bearing, I had the exact sound, it sounds like a bad out of round tire with some vibrations. Ive replaced both front bearings in the last two years. Contours are notorious for wheel bearings going bad.

I just had the same thing happen but a very loud grinding sound at low speeds, none at high. Just got the front wheel bearings replaced at Goodyear on one wheel, $180.

Don't drive it until you fix it because if it really fails, your repair costs may more than double.

Good luck.

MC Will