Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Wheel bearings??? ( I read the archives.... new question )

Sorry to repost a question if I missed it in the archives, but here it goes.

I have a '98 SE with 60,000 miles. I have recently had the rear struts, rear brakes, front brakes and rotors, and tires replaced, as well as a 4 wheel alignment.

When I drive straight, alignment is good, but a slight howling noise comes from the front. I would accept that it might be because of an aggressive tread pattern, but when I turn the wheel slightly to the right, ( like in a long sweeper ), the noise goes away. When I turn to the left, the noise is the same, or maybe just a bit louder ( hard to tell ).

It seems that all the archived posts I've read on wheel bearings seem to suggest that the noise would be there when I turn, but disappear once it straightens out.

So far the alignment has been done twice, the wheels balanced twice, and a new tire put on the front right, all since getting the front brake service and 4 tires 2 weeks ago. The tech suggested that there might have been a slipped belt in the right front tire, thats why one of the new ones has been replaced already.

Tonight I plan to swap the spare with the front right tire and see if there is any difference, and also see if there is any wheel wobble once its on the jack.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks in advance,

Eric McEntee
'98 Contour Sport SE

sounds like you have it completely covered.

When my wheel bearings went, they made that humming noise when I was going in a straight line or turning, it didn't matter.

When my wheel bearings went, the sound was there when going forward, and worse when turning left, less when turning right.

Thanks everyone, I did the wheel shake test and it appears that there is some play. I have a service appointment next Tuesday, I'll post the details after the repair for those that are interested.

Eric McEntee

I have a 1996 Contour SE, and i have the same exact problem as you. Going straight it makes a humming noise, turning right it disappears, and turning left it is louder. I recently took my car in to the Ford dealer for overheating problems hoping it was a recall and i could get it for free, but no, it was those plastic fins on the water pump, which in time killed my thermostat too. $399. what a ripoff. but anyway, they told me that the noise was in fact the wheel bearings.

I just replaced a left bearing on my 96 Zetec, which corrected the following symptoms.

1 Sounds like car is riding on bad or bare tires, with a slight vibration and sometimes a "hardly noticeable" thumping sound when cornering.

I did the same thing you did as far as alignment, tires checked and rotated twice, and balanced. You problem sounds like it could be a wheel baring, wouldnt hurt to replace at $39 each plus labor. See this link and good luck..... http://www.contour.org/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=003894

Well, just heard from the Ford dealer and it was both front wheel bearings. All told the damages, will be about $400 for parts and labor.


Thanks to everyone that replied, and I hope that my symptoms will add to the 'Great Contour Wheel Bearing Thread'

I had the same problem. Going straight was fine, turning the wheel anywhere right started the car groaning. Didn't happen when going to the left.

Took it in, and they said "the rear ones are bad too". All told, 3 bearings set be back $550 (non-dealer serviced). So after it was fixed the "airplane" noise went away too. I guess that had been with us for a while. It literally sounded like I was on a 737 going somewhere when I hit 60.

Now I drive in relative quiet.

I am finally going to take the Quiksilver in tomorrow. I have extended warranty on the car. Will they cover this for me?