Hi. My 2010 Ford Escape XLT (220,000 miles) makes a growling noise and vibration coming from the front right wheel when I shift into Drive and wheels are turned right. Very pronounced while stationary and at very low speeds, like pulling out of driveway. Noise goes away at higher speeds, when I turn wheel to the left or shift out of Drive into park or reverse. I grabbed the right CV axle and I can feel the vibrations the strongest there but I can't tell if the source is the wheel bearing or CV axle. Thank you for your time.
If the noise is pronounced stationary it won’t be a wheel bearing or axle. I would see what motor mount is being loaded on under those conditions. If the cars not moving my money would be on a motor mount
Yes! Sound is also when stationary. I'll look into it more. Thanks.
Watch Scotty’s video on finding the source of car noises - https://youtu.be/Wy5nqh3LSs4
To check wheel bearing - Jack up the car, hold the wheel at 9 & 3 o’clock positions and 12 & 6 o’clock positions & check for play. Another test is to spin the wheel with your hand while holding the shock/strut & feel for vibrations.
To check CV axle - when you take off with your wheel turned all the way, do you gear a clicking noise? Any boots ripped & fluid leaking?
Thanks for the help. I've done the play test and there is no play in either directions. There is no clicking noise when driving off with wheel turned all the way but the sound is almost a metal rubbing or grinding noise. Again, it's more prominent when wheel is turned all the way to the right. I'm also noticing a whirring sound at higher speeds now (passenger side) with a slight vibration at steering wheel. I've spun the wheel by hand with transmission in neutral and I hear a heavy ticking sound coming from more the center of the vehicle where the axel shaft goes in and it's just a tad difficult to spin the wheel (opposite wheel on the ground).I've done this on the opposite side and the ticking coming from shaft is not as loud. I also see no torn boots or leaking from anywhere. Hope any of this makes sense.
do you have cheap tires?
No. Falken Wild Peaks all around. Plenty of tread left and evenly worn.
My fear is the transmission is starting to go for the second time but why only slow right turns?
make sure your cv shaft is all the way in and make sure you didnt strip the axle nut
Ok. I've got a cv shaft and wheel bearing assembly in my cart. Just waiting to get a better idea before I pull the trigger. They've never been replaced so I might as well do it now.
Wheel bearings will make noise in a turn because of the side pressure on them. Without forcing the disc brake pads away from the rotor you can't hear a failing bearing while rotating by hand. Good bearings are 100% silent.
Would the wheel bearings make noise regardless of turning with transmission in Drive or in Neutral? Because it's only making this grinding sound in Drive, not Neutral. This is now making me think it's a transmission issue or CV shaft perhaps.
Did you solve this?
