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1997 Ford Escort Faint squeaking noise front end

Tiny
ZEBRA
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,000 MILES
I have replaced the serpentine belt, it's tensioner and timing belt. I still hear a faint squeaking noise at front end at speeds of 40 mph and higher. There is no noise at all until 40 mph is reached. All brakes are relatively new, so it's hard to imagine it comes from them. Could it be one of the front disk brake heat sheilds making contact or maybe one of the springs?
Any help would be appreciated!
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Friday, July 18th, 2008 AT 6:19 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If the dust shield on the brakes was rubbing, you would hear it all the time. Is this a growling or a quick few squeaks when steering and going over bumps?
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Friday, July 18th, 2008 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
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Once 40 mph is reached, you can hear what would be like a constant faint high pitched whinning/squeaking sound. I can't think of anywhere else it could be, other then somewhere in the wheel/brake area. The engine runs great and the transmission works flawlessly.

Thanks!
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Friday, July 18th, 2008 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Have the hub bearings checked. You can try this, when the noise starts. Steer right real quick, then left, does the noise subside in one of these manuvers? And get worse in the other?
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Friday, July 18th, 2008 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
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I finally tried the quick turn test, and the noise stayed constant. Could a bad bearing make such a weak noise? I know when one of my front wheel bearings failed, the noise was quite loud. And started right as soon as the car was moving.

Thanks!
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Not usually but some of them do not make noise until 35-40 mph. Very hard to diagnose an unheard sound!
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Thursday, July 31st, 2008 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
KERI123
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  • 1 POST
My escort just started having this same problem! It's a 1997 escort, 115,000 miles. There's this squeaking noise that just started like two days ago and now it's on and off. It started when I was on the freeway and going over 60mph and now it occurs even when I'm going 30mph. When I brake, it stops. I know I need to replace my brake pads. I have had my front bearing? Replaced like twice now, cost me like over $600 each time. I don't recall hearing this noise ever before. Have you figured out what the noise is from? Thanks

I am editing my post to add, look what I found online, maybe it's this! Need to replace PCV valve?
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Thursday, July 31st, 2008 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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Seems easy enough! Good luck, although if the noise goes away when braking, there is a weart indicator built into some pads, and it's only perpose is to make noise until you do the brakes!
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Thursday, July 31st, 2008 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
ZEBRA
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I finally had the front bearings checked, and they are doing OK. They did, however, find that the passenger side outer tie rod end needed replacing. Would that cause a noise as I described? I hate the thought of it, but could anything in the transmission
be causing the noise? It shifts smoothly and the fluid looks clean.
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Sunday, September 14th, 2008 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Are you sure it comes from a bearing, and not the engine? Does it make noise if you are in park, and rev the engine to a steady 2500 RPM? Tie rods squeak only going over bumps while moving.
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Monday, September 15th, 2008 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
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The engine sounded fine up to 2500 rpm and higher. The noise only becomes apparent when the vehicle reached a speed of approx. 40 mph. This car has an electronic speedometer, right? So it couldn't be a speedometer cable. I'm quickly running out of ideas. I suppose it could be a loose screw somewhere, causing a vibration.
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Didyou look into the PCV?
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Saturday, September 20th, 2008 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
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Actually, I did. To no avail. My wife says she can't even hear it (it's pretty faint), but it drives me nuts. And of course when I had the bearings checked, the mechanic took it for a spin, and didn't hear it either. God I hate that! Looks like I'll have to just drive it until, or if it gets worse.
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Saturday, September 20th, 2008 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
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If anyone is interested. The sqeaking in the front end of my Escort was caused by my tires! They still had a fair amount of tread left. Certainly not bald. I decided I would get a new set, as I found a great price on some. On my way home from the shop I noticed the damn noise wasn't there anymore. It stopped completely. Rather odd if you ask me.
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Monday, September 14th, 2009 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Could also have just been low on air, or a wee bit out of alignment. You sure you arent a werewolf or somethin?
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Monday, September 14th, 2009 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
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No.I highly doubt those reason, as I check the pressure religiously every 2 weeks, and keep it at 33lbs at all times. I'm a little on the perfectionist side of the tracks when it comes to those kinds of things. Now I can concentrate on looking where I have an ultra slow oil leak. It shows up at the bottom end of the flywheel housing, and it leaves no trail. It must be the rear mail seal or oil pan gasket. Is there a way to tell without taking things apart?
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Monday, September 14th, 2009 AT 5:38 PM

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