SVT funny noise in front wheel

[Taz W.]

I'm looking for advice.

I have a 2003 SVT Focus with 14k miles and there is a grinding/ticking noise in my drivers front wheel. The noise isn't noticeable at speeds above 20mph. I can really hear it when I drive close to a curb on the left side and when I am making a right turn at parking lot speed. I don't know if it could be a wheel bearing or half shaft problem.

I had it at the dealer twice. The first time they said there was corrosion on the hub. They ground off the corrosion and lubed the area, but the noise came back a day later. The second trip the technician heard the noise, but couldn't pinpoint a cause. The service advisor said they wanted to replace 2 sightly bent front wheels to start narrowing down the list of causes. ($300 bucks a piece) I don't have the time or money to keep going in and out of the shop.

The car has been in and out of the shop about 6 times in the last 7 months for a few problems.

Thanks for any advice

[-Jayson-]

hey you get what you pay for, its a ford get used to these kind of problems.

[Taz W.]

I already figured that out smart&%@!!!! If you are a Chevy person, I have had no luck with them either!

[Mustangman25]

Dude, we don't need people coming in here bashing the Focus...you don't see people here going into the Cavy forums and knocking them, do you?

On to the problem...the half shafts/axle, or the CV joints come to mind, but I couldn't be entirely sure without hearing it. Maybe have the shop lube the joints and make sure that the dust boot isn't cracked or loose. If it's an 03, shouldn't this be covered under the warranty?

[guy19]

i have an 03 zts and mine was doing the same thing so the dealership put new brake calipers and roters and after that i never had a problem.

[Taz W.]

Thank you for your support. I think that the dealer is trying to make their life easier to start with and to make a quick buck. I think they want to get rid of me. If the problem gets any worse then I will mention that to them.

Originally Posted by Mustangman25

Dude, we don't need people coming in here bashing the Focus...you don't see people here going into the Cavy forums and knocking them, do you?

On to the problem...the half shafts/axle, or the CV joints come to mind, but I couldn't be entirely sure without hearing it. Maybe have the shop lube the joints and make sure that the dust boot isn't cracked or loose. If it's an 03, shouldn't this be covered under the warranty?

[Taz W.]

Did you have any other brake problems?

Originally Posted by guy19

i have an 03 zts and mine was doing the same thing so the dealership put new brake calipers and roters and after that i never had a problem.

[totchbrown]

I have an '05 svt. made the same noise before it had 1000 miles on it. Took it in under warrantee 3 times. First two times the lubed and greased and checkd the brreaks. whatever they did it went away for a few days then came back. Third time in they could not reproduce the sound so the couldn't do anything. Thy never did pinpoint the cause. I decided not to take it back after that it was a pain to drive it 45 minutes get a rental and all that crap. Eventually it went away I haven't heard the noise in about 3 months. Maybe just needed to break in or something.

[zx2srdotnet]

2001 Z24 : 1 recall, 114 tsb's
2001 ZX2 : 0 recalls 38 tsb's

i guess you have gotten used to more problems then i will, and you paid more then me lol

[vintweed]

There are no recalls on the SVT except the 5-door model...
If I were you' I'd just keep taking it back until they fix it, free of charge...SVT dealer preferably. Call SVT if they still can't/won't fix it.
And make sure they wash 'er inside and out before they hand you the keys...all SVT owners get this service at no charge!
As for the rims, yeah they do bend easily, but how is a slightly bent wheel gonna make noise?
Tell your tech to keep looking...

[Taz W.]

Thought I would give an update on this problem.

I took the car to another dealer and they thought the noise coming from the brakes. Replaced warped rotors and pads at $300 (my expense). They drove the car and found that the noise was still there. They replaced the wheel hub and right font axle. They didn't notice that the spindle was bent and the next morning the car sounded like the wheel was going to fall off. Another trip to the shop to replace all those parts again (under warranty at least). Noise was still there. Took the car back a few weeks later. They switched wheels and tires with another SVT Focus. Low and behold the noise was gone on my car and found on the other. They replaced all 4 tires under warranty.

YEEEEAAAAHHHH The noise is gone.

[guygeo]

Hi. New here. Had the same problem.. Bought the car 2 days ago (used one, 16 000miles).. Went to the dealer, they changed the right inner wheel bearing.. Guess what, went for a ride tonight. Tadam! Noise is back again...

Could it be the Continentals??

[Mustangman25]

I doubt it's the tires...I have the same ones, and aside from the fact that they have poor weet performance, they shouldn't be making noise. My guess again would be the CV joint, but it's awful early in the car's life for that to be going.

[twizzlenutz]

Originally Posted by totchbrown

I have an '05 svt.

Am I the only one that caught this? Hate to break it to you, but there was/is no SVT Focus after the 2004 model year. Believe me, if the SVT had stuck around for '05, I wouldn't be driving a '05 ZX3 SE.
Here's to hoping for the '07 model year!

[Mustangman25]

Nice catch