Growling

I have a 98 dodge grand carvan. I am having problems with something thats in the front left side. I am having problems after I accelerate and go to a coast. When coasting it goes gggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr until it drops to about 15mph then it stops. The faster coast I am at the louder it is. It doesnt start until its at least 30mph. What could this be, tranny fluid is on range and brakes are fine.

paxfam1

Noises are one of the toughest problems to troubleshoot especially from hundreds of miles away. Bear with us.

What engine and transmission do you have? Any maintenance done lately? Does the noise change, stop, start when you apply brakes or turn? Ever hear it when standing still? Does it matter if you're in drive or shifted to a lower gear? If you have a front passenger do they agree it's coming from the drivers side? Is the growl cyclic like a click that speeds up and slows down with speed or is it a constant (while it's there) metal to metal grinding growl?

Just to make sure we're oriented right you're saying the noise is from the drivers side front correct?

1 month ago had flat on that side and had to drive 1 block to the garage in town and it was on the rim, but nothing else besides that. Noise doesnt change when turning or braking, all gears are the same. The faster the coast is the louder the noise is. All agree its coming from front left. And its cyclic not just like its whacking but kind of a growl mixed with a slight click. no grinding though.

Probably safe to say your growl is a result of your incident. Something got tweaked and probably wheel bearings or cv joints. I would lean toward the inner cv joint considering your growl pops up while accelerating or decelerating. Trouble is I've never heard the noise they make described as a growl. Usually they create a clunk or bump noise when you accel or decel. I would put someone in the drivers seat familiar with auto mechanics and get their opinion.

To check the bearings you can jack that side up (on a jack stand) and spin the wheel. Should spin smoothly with no grinding noise. Check for play in the bearings by wiggling the wheel from top and bottom and sides. Should have little or no movement. To check the cv joints try to twist the drive axle and watch for play at either end. Should be none. You may not see any and they could still be bad. The only way to know for sure is to change the driveshaft and cv joints as an assembly. Eliminate other causes before that step. Keep in touch.

One thing I guess wasnt clear is that accelerating if fine its the decelerating when it does it. if it were a wheel bearing wouldnt it do it all the time
???????????

Depends on how bad the bearings are. As I said have some trained eyes look at it. Tough call to make from here.

Okay, made appointment for friday at my garage to have it looked over. I was under it today and wheel bearings and u joints appeared to be in good condition. Bad news is I found tranny fluid dripping out of the transmission. Not sure where from but its tranny fluid...........If that isnt bad I dont no what is....

paxfam

Might just be a bad seal on the pan. I had a leaking seal on the front pump. Cost $700 to get it fixed. I lived with that leak for 4 years till I was adding a quart every two weeks and when the wife said "get it fixed now!" I got it fixed the next day.

Might just be a bad seal on the pan. I had a leaking seal on the front pump. Cost $700 to get it fixed. I lived with that leak for 4 years till I was adding a quart every two weeks and when the wife said "get it fixed now!" I got it fixed the next day.

Well it is leaking, but that doesnt explain the fact that it is making that noise. im afraid some serious tranny work is in order.

Hey guys, got the news today, the tranny is shot. Do you think I the average man could install a used tranny. If I could find one at a salvage yard that would likely be the cheapest route. I am just woundering if I could install one or is it like really hard. Let me know


paxfam