Sounds like an airplane landing?

Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
Suddenly there is a nose coming from my car when I'm driving, the best I can describe it is it sounds like an airplane landing. Just started suddenly.
Friday, May 9th, 2025 AT 11:18 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,176 POSTS
That's the common description for a noisy wheel bearing. On some car models the noise will get quieter when you turn slightly one way, as in when you change lanes. Do you want to pursue this yourself or are just asking how to go about solving the noise?
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Saturday, May 10th, 2025 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
I'm asking how to solve it.
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Saturday, May 10th, 2025 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,615 POSTS
Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. We need to hear the noise, so we know which direction to go to help you fix the car. It takes time to upload so please be patient.
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Sunday, May 11th, 2025 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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This is a big job that requires some special tools, so we want to be sure this is diagnosed properly. There's two ways to tell if a wheel bearing is noisy. My preferred method is to raise the tires off the ground, run the engine, in gear, then listen next to each front bearing with a stethoscope. This is much easier on a hoist. One bearing will make you wonder, but the noisy one will be evident by the loud growling noise. Also, you can't usually go by which side it sounds like the noise is coming from. Noises like these transfer from side to side. Chrysler and GM use a bolt-on bearing assembly, so if you replace the wrong one, you just put the old one on the other side. Ford uses a pressed-in bearing design that must destroy the bearing to remove it, so if you replace the wrong one, you have to buy two new bearings. The good news is this style of bearing is less expensive than the bolt-on style.

Another way to identify a noisy wheel bearing is to again, raise the tires off the ground with the car supported solidly on jack stands under the frame. That allows the suspension to hang down giving you more working room. Reach over the top of the tire and lightly wrap your fingertips around part of the coil spring. Now, with your other hand, rotate the tire. If that wheel bearing is noisy, you'll feel the vibration in the spring.

Here's links to some dandy related articles:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/7-common-symptoms-of-a-bad-automotive-bearing-hub

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

The second article pertains to a bolted-in bearing, but the preliminary steps are the same. There is also a video:

https://youtu.be/qOAyXfPo7Z0

that shows the same information. There is no video for your pressed-in bearing design because this really isn't a do-it-yourselfer type of job. The instructions below are from Ford. There is a tool set that allows this job to be done with the knuckle still on the car. That way, the knuckle isn't moved, so no alignment is necessary after the service. I have that tool set, but I can't find a photo of it to post.
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Sunday, May 11th, 2025 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
I'm not a mechanic.
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Sunday, May 11th, 2025 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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No worries, it is good to see what is needed to fix the problem, so you know what you are paying for when having the car repaired.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
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  • 19 POSTS
It said my video is too large to upload but it doesn't sound as loud now.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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How long is the video? Can you make it shorter?
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
  • MEMBER
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I don't know how.
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Monday, May 12th, 2025 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Noise issues are tough over the internet. How long is the video on your phone, we just need about 15 seconds of the noise. Also, uploading videos can take a few minutes so be patient.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
CORRECTIONSGIRL2
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The noise has stopped, thanks.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 AT 6:57 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Well darn the bad luck. How are we supposed to help you now? Wheel bearing noise gets progressively worse over more miles until it gets too obnoxious to put up with. I've already had small tree branches stuck under my vehicles, as well as pebbles caught between a brake rotor and splash shield. Those noises will go away at some point. Any chance that might be what happened?

If the noise doesn't return, please come back and let us know in a week or two so we'll know. If it does return, we'll be here to continue on, otherwise come back to see us with your next problem.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
SHERILYN FRANKLIN
  • MEMBER
  • 90 POSTS
Thank you, will do.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 AT 11:21 PM

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