Just recently my 2002 1.8 focus has started growling from underneath when in gear but dose not when idling. Could it be the exhaust or a bearing or the gearbox?. All sound expensive which should i start on first. Many thanks in advance.
Please specify : does the noise change with car speed or engine revs? Does it get louder with engine load? Can you be more specific about location of the noise? Does it vary with temperature? Please describe the sound in more detail, i.e. rattly, boomy etc, and how loud?
The gearbox, by the way, is in front not underneath.
Clutch release bearing. If it breaks up you'll have no clutch. Get ready for a replacement clutch and r/bearing etc.
TIm..
There are a number of possibilities for this problem. I would check the following:
1 - Tie rods from the front suspension strut to the anti-roll bar, if one or both of these are worn you will get a knocking noise coming from the area low down in front of the gear stick. 2 - Drivers side drive shaft support bearing, if this is worn you will get a rumbling noise while driving. 3 - Wheel bearing, same symptoms as above. (but unlikeley, they last for years) 4 - Clutch release bearing, if worn tends to be quiter when clutch depressed.Possible leyshaft problem in the gearbox.Difficult to say exactly without details of the noise, rumbling, knocking etc.
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