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Repair Topics / Noises-1 / Noises-2 / Noises-3
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This
category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.Question:
1995 Ford Focus mileage
72,000. Recently our car started making a noise from the
left front wheel, since it sounded like a bad tire I
took it to the local tire store. After driving it they
put it up on the lift and they showed me that while
spinning the left front wheel you could hear a clunking
noise inside the transmission. They said that they
thought I should have the transmission checked out. They
also said that my left front wheel bearing housing was
bad and that was what was making the noise, but they
suggested that the bad bearing was caused by the
transmission. What inside the transmission would cause
the bearing to go bad? If I decide to re-build the
transmission myself, how hard is it on this car and will
I be able tell what is causing the noise when I get the
transmission open? Is there a book that you would
recommend that may help me?
Answer:
It is easier to replace a wheel bearing than to rebuild
the transmission. Replace the drive axle first then go
from there. at eAutoPartStore.com there are about $69.00
Question:
2002 Audi A4 Cabrio Quattro
mileage: 40,000. I am hearing a kind of humming
noise coming from the back of the car sometimes.
After a while it gets really bad and the car starts to
slow way down and you have to push the gas pedal all the
way to the floor and the car stumbles for a while and
then it starts running all right. It seems like
the fuel filter might be plugged up and if that is
right, could you tell me where it is at.
Answer:
Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump.
Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your
problem. The fuel filter should be located in the
back by the gas tank.
Question:
2004 Hyundai Accent mileage: 50,000. It has been
making a bad whining or squeaking noise when I turn the
steering wheel to turn, almost like "shreaking" We
looked under the hood and my husband thinks that it has
something to do with the pully coming out of the side of
the power steering pump, but he's no mechanic.
What do you think?
Answer:
It sounds like you have a lose multi rib belt and/or a
bad drive belt tensioner. Replace with new as needed to
recheck system.
Question:
2006 Dodge 1500 Ram mileage: 5,000 My
left front wheel makes a noise as if it's rumbling when
I turn left. Occasionally a high pitch squeal
accompanies it, but not all the time and that is
generally heard when driving straight, not during the
turning process. The rumbling can be felt when the
brakes are applied at a slow speed (i.e., inching
forward at stop light) but there is no consistency, it
doesn't happen all the time. Once the
rumbling starts, it continues through the left turn and
then once the wheel was been straightened out for a
while. Any suggestions on what it could be?
Answer: It sounds like the front brake
pads are just getting broken in. Most brake pads have a
break in period.
Question:
2002 BMW 325i Sedan
mileage: 56,000. I took my car to have the front
brakes done. When I got my car back, there was a
noise, which I can't quite describe. Best I can
describe as squeaking/loose. The noise gets louder
especially when I make a turn or speed up.
It seems to originate from the passenger side of the
car. I took my car back to the mechanic. He
said he checked it over but could not find anything
wrong with it. I got a second opinion with the
same result...HELP.
Answer:
Sometimes the repair shop that performs the repairs use
sub standard parts (not OEM - original equipment
manufacture) On higher end cars and trucks you have to
use the best. You can find them at eAutoPartStore.com
for less then you think.
Question:
2004 Jaguar XK8 mileage: 30,500. While driving my
Jag, I periodically hear a noise coming from the front
of my car that sounds like a far away horn. It
comes and goes but only after, I have driven it for
several miles. When I shut the engine off, I can
hear what sounds like a fan running very fast for a few
seconds coming from under the hood. Is this
something that I should be concerned about? Thank
You.Answer:
It sounds like your thermostat maybe sticking which
causes the engine to run hotter than normal.
Replace as soon as possible.
Question:
2002 Toyota Camry mileage: 50,000. I recently had
my front brakes repaired, replaced rotors and new pads,
by a dealer. Within a week, when I press the
brake pedal, there is knocking that sounds like it comes
from the front under carriage. It stops when my foot is
removed from the brake pedal and it stops at speeds
above 50 mph. Almost like a rotor is out of
alignment. It is not constant but when I push the
brake pedal. In addition, once I take my foot off
the brake pedal, there is a light humming noise. Any
suggestions?
Answer:
It sounds like the brake rotors are having a warping
issue, return to the dealer to explain the problem to
repair as needed under warranty.
Question:
2000 Plymouth Neon mileage: 48,235. Right after
(my) break-in (aprox. 2200 miles) period I took the car
back to the dealer because I thought the engine was a
little noisy. They told me that the sounds the
engine made were normal. I really was not
sure but I do know that different engines make different
noises. So, I let it ride. A short time ago,
the engine started making a VERY LOUD noise
intermittently. It only does it below 20 degrees
f. and randomly intermittently. When I first start
the car it is fine for approximately 6 to 10 seconds,
then it makes a noise like a REALLY LOOSE connecting rod
bearing for approximately 5 to 10 seconds, then it goes
away and may not reoccur for days. Anybody have
any ideas? P.s. I am a motorcycle mechanic so I am
somewhat familiar with the internal workings of the
engine.
Answer:
It sounds like you have a rod bearing that is starting
to failed, disassemble to replace rod bearings as
needed. Also you will, need a oil pan gasket to do the
job.
Question:
2002 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado Z71 mileage: 34,000.
We bought a Chevy Silverado Z71 a couple of months ago;
we noticed that we can hear it shifting from 2-3 on the
up shift. When we took it in the garage, we were
told that this is normal for this transmission.
Something they called driveline clunk. We also
hear a clunk when the accelerated is pushed and then
released real fast.
Answer:
We are guessing that the universal joints in the
driveline may need to be lubricated. In
addition, the differential may have excessive wear.
Question:
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Mileage: 40,000.
Bob and Ken: Just recently, I started noticing a
noise emanating from the steering column every time I
turn the wheel. It sounds as if it is coming from
the area where the steering wheel connects to the
steering column. The noise reminds me of a
clicking egg timer, only the frequency of the "clicks"
is determined by how quickly or slowly the wheel is
turned. Also, the noise remains constant
regardless of the temperature or how long the car has
been driven. I am hoping you may have an idea as
to what may be the cause of this problem and how I can
go about taking care of it. Thanks for your time
and your advice.
Answer:
Your noise is most likely coming from either the turn
signal switch or the steering wheel lock pin has a
problem. Disassemble to inspect replace broken parts
replace as needed.
Question:
2002 Chrysler Caravan, mileage: 54,000. Bought car
from dealer at 37,000. Front struts had already
been replaced. After 15,000 miles, developed a
front end "clunk" at low speeds (10 - 15 mph) when
passing over "dip" in pavement, or pulling up driveway
apron (not as obvious when passing over a "bump").
Dealer checked and said sway bar links were worn and
replaced same. Noise still there. Dealer
then replaced front struts again. "Clunk" still
there! Dealer acknowledges there's a clunk, but
says he does not know what the problem is. Now the
steering feels a little "squirrelly" when pavement is
wet. Can this be a tie-rod going bad? Dealer
claims everything is "safe"; they said they even checked
floor pan to see if it was a drumming noise. I
KNOW the clunking noise is there, and it wasn't there
when the car was new (to me), or I wouldn't have bought
it!
Answer:
Sounds like the sway bar links are bad, and need to be
replaced.
Question:
2003 Ford Ranger mileage: 42,000. Any time I step
on the gas and make a demand on the engine the truck
makes a lot of noise. It sounds like a roar
coming from an engine that is like a jet air plane.
I test-drove a truck with the very same eng.& trans.
To me it sounded a lot quieter. The service man at
Ford said that they could not find any thing wrong.
HELP
Answer:
The problem you describe is probably caused by the
radiator fan clutch. Replace as needed to recheck
system.
Question: 2004 Toyota 4x4
Tundra mileage: 28,000. I have a high-pitched metallic
chattering coming from the front of my engine. It gets
louder with Rpms and when the clutch is depressed, it
quiets right up. It does not sound internal but sounds
as if it is coming from the fan belt area. I originally
thought it was the water pump and replaced it. Not so.
It may be the fuel pump but I can't isolate it. Any
suggestions?
Answer: It sounds like you
have a belt tensioner bearing that has gone bad.
Disassemble to replace failed parts, reassemble to
recheck. 
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