Car Problem - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chelsea · 04-07-2008, 07:30 PM

Just within the last couple miles of my drive back to Lexington today, I started to hear a noise...kind of a hollow grinding sound....whenever I turned right. Anyone know what this is/might be? Car's a 1997 Ford Taurus, if that makes a difference. I've got my guess (a wheel bearing starting to go) but I thought I'd pose the question here and see if anyone knew

bandito · 04-07-2008, 07:50 PM

You're right. You have a bad wheel bearing.

Chelsea · 04-07-2008, 07:57 PM

Assuming that's what the problem is, who do I need to see to get this fixed?

bandito · 04-07-2008, 08:19 PM

Any reputable auto repair shop should be able to handle that job. At my shop, you are probably looking at a couple hundred, parts and labor to replace that wheel bearing. Get a couple of estimates from different shops, just remember the least expensive estimate doesn't always mean the best quality job. Good luck.

GARFIELDKOOL · 04-07-2008, 09:27 PM

I had a bad wheel bearing myself a few years ago I would turn right, and I would get that funny noise. Yeah, go to any auto shop and get the best estimate. Words of advice, don't go to a big name franchise, you will be paying for the name itself.

No offense Seth, but Fords to me aren't good cars. Fords make better trucks.
Two of my brothers had Ford Taurus, one of them currently has one, a 2001, and the damn transmission went about a month ago. The other one had a 2005 Ford Taurus, it gave him nothing but problems to the point where it wasn't worth to keep getting it repaired. I am not discouraging you, I am just going by what i seen my brothers went through. All automobiles will eventually give out, but we just never been big on Fords.

catlover79 · 04-07-2008, 11:05 PM

I don't know what the problem is, Seth, but take it from me - DON'T go to Midas!!!

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=215862

Max Whittaker · 04-08-2008, 12:20 AM

My condolences on having a Ford.

Chelsea · 04-08-2008, 06:13 AM

I've had this car for just under 40,000 miles (Got it at 108,000) and this is exactly the 2nd problem I've had in that entire time.

I'm not complaining about MY Ford, thankyouverymuch.

Chelsea · 04-08-2008, 08:56 AM

An update: I took the car for a little spin around the parking lot. Did lap after lap after lap, both clockwise and counterclockwise and mixed turns and etc.

Could NOT reproduce the exact sound I heard at the volume I heard it yesterday. Didn't hear anything for the first few minutes after starting the car (if it were a wheel bearing, wouldn't it be making the noise no matter what). After a few minutes I started to hear sort of a creaking sound that did get louder whenever I turned BUT was present even when I wasn't.

bandito · 04-08-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I don't know what the problem is, Seth, but take it from me - DON'T go to Midas!!!

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=215862

Amen.

bandito · 04-08-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

An update: I took the car for a little spin around the parking lot. Did lap after lap after lap, both clockwise and counterclockwise and mixed turns and etc.

Could NOT reproduce the exact sound I heard at the volume I heard it yesterday. Didn't hear anything for the first few minutes after starting the car (if it were a wheel bearing, wouldn't it be making the noise no matter what). After a few minutes I started to hear sort of a creaking sound that did get louder whenever I turned BUT was present even when I wasn't.

Usually when a bearing goes bad the noise is constant. Maybe you ran over something that got caught up in the wheel, then dropped out. The way you described your problem I would have bet the house you had a bad bearing.

Chelsea · 04-08-2008, 07:54 PM

The noise doesn't seem to be coming from either specific wheel. I tried playing with the steering - turning it left and right - while parked and the noise seemed to be coming almost from the steering column itself.

Ireneparalegal · 04-08-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I don't know what the problem is, Seth, but take it from me - DON'T go to Midas!!!

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=215862

Oh my, I remember that thread very well.

bandito · 04-08-2008, 08:20 PM

Is it a whining noise? maybe check the p/s fluid. Fords are notorious for noisy power steering pumps.

catlover79 · 04-08-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandito

Usually when a bearing goes bad the noise is constant. Maybe you ran over something that got caught up in the wheel, then dropped out. The way you described your problem I would have bet the house you had a bad bearing.

I've had bearing problems in the past, too, so you may want to have that checked out. Let us know what happens.

04-07-2008, 07:30 PM	#1
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Car Problem Just within the last couple miles of my drive back to Lexington today, I started to hear a noise...kind of a hollow grinding sound....whenever I turned right. Anyone know what this is/might be? Car's a 1997 Ford Taurus, if that makes a difference. I've got my guess (a wheel bearing starting to go) but I thought I'd pose the question here and see if anyone knew
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

04-07-2008, 07:50 PM	#2
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	You're right. You have a bad wheel bearing.
	__________________ bandito

04-07-2008, 11:05 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I don't know what the problem is, Seth, but take it from me - DON'T go to Midas!!! http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=215862
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-08-2008, 12:20 AM	#7
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	My condolences on having a Ford.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

04-07-2008, 07:57 PM	#3
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Assuming that's what the problem is, who do I need to see to get this fixed?

04-07-2008, 08:19 PM	#4
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	Any reputable auto repair shop should be able to handle that job. At my shop, you are probably looking at a couple hundred, parts and labor to replace that wheel bearing. Get a couple of estimates from different shops, just remember the least expensive estimate doesn't always mean the best quality job. Good luck.

04-07-2008, 09:27 PM	#5
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	I had a bad wheel bearing myself a few years ago I would turn right, and I would get that funny noise. Yeah, go to any auto shop and get the best estimate. Words of advice, don't go to a big name franchise, you will be paying for the name itself. No offense Seth, but Fords to me aren't good cars. Fords make better trucks. Two of my brothers had Ford Taurus, one of them currently has one, a 2001, and the damn transmission went about a month ago. The other one had a 2005 Ford Taurus, it gave him nothing but problems to the point where it wasn't worth to keep getting it repaired. I am not discouraging you, I am just going by what i seen my brothers went through. All automobiles will eventually give out, but we just never been big on Fords.

04-08-2008, 06:13 AM	#8
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	I've had this car for just under 40,000 miles (Got it at 108,000) and this is exactly the 2nd problem I've had in that entire time. I'm not complaining about MY Ford, thankyouverymuch.

04-08-2008, 08:56 AM	#9
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	An update: I took the car for a little spin around the parking lot. Did lap after lap after lap, both clockwise and counterclockwise and mixed turns and etc. Could NOT reproduce the exact sound I heard at the volume I heard it yesterday. Didn't hear anything for the first few minutes after starting the car (if it were a wheel bearing, wouldn't it be making the noise no matter what). After a few minutes I started to hear sort of a creaking sound that did get louder whenever I turned BUT was present even when I wasn't.

04-08-2008, 07:54 PM	#12
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	The noise doesn't seem to be coming from either specific wheel. I tried playing with the steering - turning it left and right - while parked and the noise seemed to be coming almost from the steering column itself.

04-08-2008, 08:20 PM	#14
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	Is it a whining noise? maybe check the p/s fluid. Fords are notorious for noisy power steering pumps.