Front Wheel Noise

[brianatccm]

I have a 1993 ford Escort LX 4-Door hatchback w/ the 1.9L I-4. For the past few months I have heard a noise from the front driver's side wheel. It obviously invloves something that spins because you can hear it more at higher speeds. Would this be a wheel bearing? I don't know much about my car and this is the only part that I know of that could problaby be the problem; but I am not a mechnic. Thank you ahead of time to anyone who replies to this thread.

-Brian
AIM: brianatccm

[AzTumbleweed]

Does the noise change if you press the brake pedal? They have little pieces of metal that 'scratch' the brake rotor when your pads get low to give you a warning.

[Davescort97]

It very well could be a wheel bearing. Jack it up and turn the wheel. You'll see or hear something.
If it only does it when you make a hard left or right turn it is constant velocity joint on the half-shaft which is just behind the wheel bearing.

[AzTumbleweed]

Ironic that at another post the guy is upset because his tires don't make noise

[brianatccm]

I doubt its the brakes because they are only 6 months old.

I haven't noticed anything on hard turns.

I will jack up the car tonight, and let you know the results.

-Brian
AIM: brianatccm

[brianatccm]

Last night, I jacked up the driver's side wheel (problem wheel). I spun the wheel however I heard something when I spun it. I don't know how to explain the sound, but shouldn't there silence when I spin the wheel? I lowered the car and tried the passenger side front; Same thing. I didn't feel like taking the wheel off. If I get my car fixed for anything else, I will have the mechanic check it out.

However, I don't think I will be putting much more money into this car. When I jacked up the car I heard a cracking sound. Half of the spot where you can jack it up is rusting. I looked under the car more and relised that there was alot of rust.

I know it is a 1993, but I didn't realize that there was that much rust. The rust I knew of when I got the car: rear passenger side fender was rusting. Rust I found a month ago: part of the trunk is rusting and I can see the road through a fist size hole in the scissor-jack cubby. Yea, and the jack is rusted in. Recently I noticed the rear driver's side fender, and a quater size spot on one of the door frames (the black frame that surrounds the window). Also, the center of the front passenger-side foot well was wet. There must be a rusted spot letting water in...

Time to save money and look for a new car...

-Brian
AIM: brianatccm

[AzTumbleweed]

The sounds you hear when it's jacked up are probably the disc pads draggng on the caliper. It's normal.

[brianatccm]

Update....

I was tired of hearing the noise and not knowing what is was. I took it to STS and they jacked up the front end. The mechanic showed me how the wheels can move freely from right to left (no not steering). He said both Outer Tie Rods need to be replaced.

Estimate:

Front left Tie rod: $59.49
Front Right Tie rod: $59.49
Labor: $85.00
Alignment: $69.95
Subtotal: $273.93
Tax: $16.43
Total: $290.36

Do you agree with the part replacement and/or the pricing? Is the alignment nessesary?

Thank you ahead of time.

-Brian

[Davescort97]

Sounds about par for the course. This is the amount you'ed have to pay just about anyplace. The labor of $85 sounds high but that is probably because there is a minimum of 1 hour. Yes, the front wheels have to have the toe in set after replacing the tie rod ends. They control the toe in.
It would be a good idea to have this done as soon as possible because your front tires are probably being abnormally worn.

[Arnoldtheskier]

Tie rods are pretty easy on these cars.

You need about a 2-3 lb short handle hammer..(club hammer or mallet)
A wrench/socket w. ratchet for the tie rod nut on top..about 19mm
a pair of pliers
1-2 wrenches about 16mm or 1-2 pair of large vice grips for the jam nuts.

IF you are careful you do not need an alignment.IF BEFORE! you remove the tie rods..you MARK AND COUNT(with your fingernails) the number of exposed threads..THEN make sure that the tie rods are VERY close in overall length..(centre of ball stud to end)old and new.

The tie rod ends are about $15.Cdn here for these cars Seems to me the CHEAP replacement tie rods,ball joints for vehicles are the ones WITH the grease fittings NOT like the originals.Go figure.I put 2 on my car last year w. no alignment.Tires are wearing perfect.They were before too.

With someone else doing it as you mentioned..price sounds about right.

[Davescort97]

Yeah, do it yourself if you feel up to it. You can get the tie rod end out of the sleeve by rapping the sleeve with a good sized hammer. It should pop right out. Hitting it with a hammer relaxes the sleeve allowing the tie rod end to drop out of the steering knuckle. If you count the threads you can eyball the front wheels. They should be slightly toed in just a hair. Not much for a FWD Escort. Tie rods are one of the easiest things to do. They are right out there on the steering knuckle and you don't have to fight it to get them off. Go for it!

[brianatccm]

i plan on having them done soon because I don't want anything bad to happen.

The tires in the front are balding anyway. They are next on the list of things to replace.

I don't feel up to doing it at home because I don't have a garage or flat space to work on and the tools.

How long can I drive on them like this? How bad can it get? I am kinda of tight on time right now and I may have to wait a week or two...

Thank you to all who reply.

-Brian

[Davescort97]

It probably has taken a long time for them to wear out so a few thousand miles isn't going to make any difference. I've never heard of a tie-rod end coming loose. The wear will possibly finish off your front tires, but like you said. They are bald anyway.
Make sure you have 32-35 lbs of air in the tires. This will put less force on them than a lower pressure. From what I gather the tie-rods go out on Escorts quite frequently. They should be all right for a while if you don't have the money to get them done. As long as the steering wheel doesn't bind up you should be okay.

[brianatccm]

Should i have the front tires replaced at the same time? Would it be any cheaper?

-Brian

[Davescort97]

I don't think it would be any cheaper to get the tires at the same time, but it would be a good idea.
That way they are responsible for the whole package. What am I trying to say? You'll get a more accurate front end alignment with new tires on the front of your car. So, (1) get the tie rod ends put on (2) get new tires (3) have it aligned.