HELP: noise 2001 Lincoln LS sounds like bad tire

Take the tech that will work on the car for a ride..... be absolutely sure he hears the sound..... be absolutely sure he is a tech and not just some damned Yankee with a toolbox (you guys really need to get some sort of proficiency regulation going).

See if you can find a tech or shop that displays certifications proudly - it is the man (or woman) that is proud of their labours you are looking for. Be aware that they will charge accordingly.

I have taken the dealer service manager and his technician for a ride and they heard the noise. They have changed tires, rims, front end parts and every time the noise is still there. The last time they returned the car they said they ere going to contact the manufacturer. We didn't hear back, my wife called Ford PR dept. and was told Ford has decided the noise is normal and not a defect. I will call the dealer this week to confirm this. All work has been done under warranty except buying tires. Neal

Was front hubs on the list of things they allready changed? Does the noise get louder/softer on turns?

After the warranty expires, I would take it to an independent garage and ask them. Remember, you had the complaint during the warranty period. If a cause is found after the warranty expires, they still have to fix it.

Jeff

At this distance it's hard to make even an educated guess. With info coming in dribs and drabs I'm sure to repeat many things that have been tried or done.

I have come across sealed front wheel bearings that DIDN'T exhibit any symptoms that didn't feel or sound real good once the rotors are off of them. Our shop has also seen a couple of CVs or GMs that showed insufficient hardening of the bearing surface on the rear axles... noisey but certainly not a "tire" sound. Having said that, I have the nagging "semi-memory" (it's an old fart thing) that these are IRS but there remains the chance for noises to 'telegraph'.

TSB 01-21-07 deals with a moaning noise during light acceleration at highway speeds but I haven't enough information to decide if this might be applicable or not. One thing that I will mention is tire pressures and direction of rotation..... recommended tire pressures are on the VIN decal at the drivers door (too many folks inflate the tires to the pressure marked on the sidewall) and, in the case of directional tires, other folks don't notice the arrows.

HTH

You might want to try another dealer, maybe in another town. A large Lincoln dealer may have someone who can recognize the noise right away. You might even ask if they have a NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) specialist. Ford used to have a special certification for that.

Keep us informed...

PoD

Ford still does..... odd as it may sound NVH certification and Basic Electronic certifications are pre-requisites for all the other certifications. It's neither easy nor extremely hard to pass cerification but a tech needs use his/her head and the knowledge given (sadly missing in all of todays society).

specialist.

Sorry I haven't gotten back with more info on what has been done but I haven't been able to get the service people to return my call. I will go there tomorrow and try to get more information. Hawaii is a small state and this dealer is the only game in town. Neal

The service dept. at the dealer said they have replaced the hub bearings and want me to come in so they can change tires. Neal