When driving over 15 MPH the front of my car vibrates and makes a train track/chugging sound?

Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
When I drive over 15 MPH the front of my car vibrates and makes a train chugging/track sound. It gets louder as I accelerate, quieter as I slow down, and no unusual sounds come when I turn or brake.
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 3:28 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,913 POSTS
Yes, this can happen when the front CV axles need to be replaced, to be sure you can send a short video by uploading it here in your response. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
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Hi, thanks for your response. I uploaded a short video; I couldn't send a longer version because my upload speed in this area is very slow.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is a short video. I can't hear anything could you please send another?
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
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Sure, here's a longer one.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
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It's hard to hear because I'm going at a low speed. I can upload later at a higher speed. But if you max out the volume you can hear a little thunder like sound.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the video. it sounds more like a bearing hub has gone out. Can you tell me if the noise is coming from the front or rear of the car? Here is how to change out the front bearing hubs which usually go out more than the rear. This video will show you how on a similar car, the process is the same.

https://youtu.be/_FzmmBoa4Tg?si=ZQh3yWvNRcExh067

Here are instructions on your car. You can take the bearing to an automotive machine shop to have the bearing changed out. Lift the car in the front too and grasp the wheels to try to check for play.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
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Thank you again for your response, it's the front making the noise.
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, I would check the front bearing hub. 9 times out of 10 this will be the problem.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2023 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
NEOVITALITY99
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Okay, thank you! Also, yesterday I heard some clicking and clanking when my windows were down and my steering wheel is jiggling left and right a little.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2023 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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This can be the hub bearings, but I would check the CV axles as you could have both problems.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Friday, October 13th, 2023 AT 8:14 AM

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