Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Groaning sound from passenger front side....

I get a groaning sound when I turn to the right up front on my passenger side, usually when someone heavy sits in my car. (my one friend weighs 370, but it happens usually with someone above like 220). Just wondering if anyone ever had this problem, and what it could be? (thinking something in the CV joint, but really really hope not....)

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97 SE sport
KKM
TH fix
Custom Dual exhaust W/40 series flowmasters
resonator replaced with straight pipe

AOL Instant Messenger: MiguelAD8

Have you checked for tire rubbing inside the wheel well? Does it need a hard turn, or just a little?

I still have my stock wheels on, But even still, it doesnt sound like the wheels rubbing, I will check to make sure. It is usually a hard turn, dont even have to be going fast, usually when I turn into a parking spot. Also, it doesnt always happen with someone in the car, but for the most part thats when it happens.

Have you checked the passenger and what he/she last ate?

<-insert really stupid grin here
Nax

[This message has been edited by Fornax (edited April 29, 2001).]

Now THAT is possible....

Check your swaybar for side to side movement. The stays break allowing the bar to rub on the chassis when you corner. That sounds like your problem. Cheap and effective fix is to wrap heater hose around bar using hose clamps which will stop side to side movement.

I used to work in a driveline shop. Had all kinds of weird noises come in on occasion. Groaning and grinding noises when turning usually resulted from one of two things.

The wheel bearing is going (sounds like your problem) The dynamics change when your making a turn so the load on the wheel is different and the normal to the rotation is modified on the direction of travel.

The inner CV Joint starts with a goan and then starts vibrating.. etc etc.

I'd bet on a wheel bearing though.

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Dave Andrews
Black&Tan 2000 SVT

Wheel bearing! Mine got worse when wheel is turned, then better when straightened again. The bearing had no play in the tire, but was just noisy as hell.

Had a similar problem with my car. It turned out to be the power steering unit, ONLY when turning right. There is a TSB on it but can't remember what the number is. Something to do with a resonance set up in the return line. It has since started again and I'm going to try Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in the Power Steering to see if it helps.

yeah wheel bearing.. he said it's when he turns to the right.


I like the idea of the power steering pump. Makes quite a bit of sense.

Think you could post a recording of the sound? that might help quite a bit.

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Dave Andrews
Black&Tan 2000 SVT
davelandrews@home.com