Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Sounds like an aiplane going straight and left

Just bought a '98 Contour GL. The guy thought it may have a bad wheel bearing. When you drive it, it makes an incredibly loud noise that sounds like a twin prop airplane. It makes the noise going straight and in left curves. It only stops making the noise when you go through a sharp right curve. Could it be a wheel bearing or axle?

I pulled the passenger hub assembly off and the axle. I can very slightly wiggle the hub, but nothing like I expected if it was the bearing making that noise. The axle also looked pretty good when I pulled it apart. Could this still be the problem?

The only other thing I noticed is when I was looking at the driver's side, I can wiggle the axle up and down a little bit right where it goes into the transmission. That looks like something that could definitly make some noise, but if it was coming from there, I don't know that it would quit on any curves.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome onboard.

Classic symptom of faulty pass side front wheel bearing. Load on pass side front bearing reduced during right turns therefore noise abates.

Noise usually evident long before excessive play detectable. Knuckle has to be removed and bearing pressed out of/into hub. Usually 2 hr labor charge at shop plus $50 for bearing.

Edit: side revised, see also later post.

Thanks for the welcome and the reply.

The driver's side? I thought that the reading I've done indicated the bearing will quit making noise when you unload it. You're saying that it's the left side because I load it when I go into a right turn and that will make the noise quit??

I just want to confirm that with you. I did notice that there seems to be much more play in the bearings on the left side than on the right.

Thanks again,
Korey

Had the same bearing problem in my '98 Mystique except on the passenger side. The mechanic claimed that he could not buy the bearing alone and installed a new hub as well. I think he just did not want to hunt for the part. He may have also had a boat payment due and figured I might as well pay it for him. Anyone else heard of this?

For some reason or other, the bad one is the opposite from the way you're turning. If it makes a noise turning left (like mine did) it's the right bearing. Dealer charged me $81.00 for the job a couple of years ago. Hourly rates have gone up a bit since then, but I would think it would be $100 or less. Ironically, the bearing was covered by the ESP plan I had, but with the $100 deductible, the plan wasn't any help.

Oh yeah, welcome.

if i were you i would look on pulling the whell off where the noise is comming from and see. but before taking the wheel off with the car jacked up make sure you have something to suport when you have your car up dont depend on the jack! anyways jack the car up with the wheel off the ground grab your well and try to move it and see if it feels kinda loose or wiggles.

When I got the passenger side apart I noticed the lower ball joint is shot. Is there anyway that could account for the noise?

Thanks again.

Mine made the same noise when it went out. It actually started sounding after a while like it was going to lock up. I raised the car off the ground and wiggled the wheel, figuring that there would be oodles of play in it, and found that it was tight as heck. I started leaning towards other things because of this. It was the bearing though. You cant grease them either. I have found out the hard way and 6 bearings later, that it is better to have the dealership do it. They have the special presses and stuff to fix it and it comes with a warranty. They charged me 160.00 for labor and 38.00 a piece for the bearings. That was labor and parts for both front bearings at my local Ford Dealer. Well worth it.

Blaze

I have replaced 4 bearings 2 driver, 2 pass. Common if you corner hard. With car on jack, grab wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock. If you can move the wheel more than 1/2 inch, you need a bearing. I've used aftermarket bearings and have noticed they last about the same mileage as Motorcraft and are 2/3 the price.
Good luck!