Focus front noise

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Kostas Kavoussanakis 20 years ago

Hi,

Recently my 2000 Focus developed a noise usually associated with bearings. Grinding, moaning, rolling or even blowing would be how I would describe it. It is speed-dependent, it's at the front, and in

400 miles it has deteriorated (now audible from 30mph) :-(

I changed both front wheel bearings and also the front tyres (needed done, new went at the back) with no success. My friendly local garage consulted with Ford who suggested (drumroll) gearbox change.

Would you have any other suggestion? Would you comment on the difficulty of replacing the inner bearings on the axle (those near/in the differential)?

Any input will be gratefully received.

Kostas

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Conor 20 years ago

Assuming that you've eliminated the brake discs rubbing and the CV joints, then if it doesn't change pitch when you change gear, i.e it is road speed and not engine speed dependent then it's going to be a gearbox job off regardless.

Diff/Mainshaft bearings can be replaced but it depends on the competency of the mechanics. I found over the years that most mechanics treat gearboxes like auto-electrics, i.e some black art.

It may be worth flicking through Autotrader to see what prices recon gearboxes are. If there's a gearbox specialist near you, it'd be worth a trip to get their opinion.

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Kostas Kavoussanakis 20 years ago

Would that not be continuous and high-pitch?

Is there a test for them that does not involve lifting the car?

OK, thanks.

My garage has got a price, and it's 10 times the cost of the wheel bearing, which I thought was not iterative enough. But you sound like they are right. I will wait for the noise to become louder (hoping we can localise it better) and I will try and visit a gearbox specialist as you are suggesting.

Many thanks for your detailed answer.

Kostas

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Tim.. 20 years ago

Are you absolutely sure the noise is actually coming from the front.

Foci have no history of failing front wheel bearings, but rear ones are a totally different matter!! The noise can easily be mistaken to be coming from the front of the car, when its actually the opposite end...

Tim..

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Tim.. 20 years ago

Which engine do you have in your Focus? If its an iB5 'boxed one (i.e.

1.4/1.6/1.8 petrol) then shafted diff bearings are a possibility, but examine those rear wheel bearings first!!

Tim..

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Kostas Kavoussanakis 20 years ago

1.8 petrol. The strategy we agreed with the garage (given that i don't do long journeys) is that we let it deteriorate more so we can localise it better. It's not audible on the rolling road. Ford (who have also driven the car) think it's not the rear ones because when pulling the handbreak the noise does not significantly change.

Thanks for your input.

Kostas

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Conor 20 years ago

In article , Kostas Kavoussanakis says... (drumroll) gearbox change.

No. It'd be speed related and could also only be when you turn in a particular direction.

Nope.

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Conor 20 years ago

It wouldn't do. I think I'd be looking at a second opinion.

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Kostas Kavoussanakis 19 years ago

Many thanks for all the inputs. The problem has now been resolved: the car also has a "middle" bearing, as the right drivshaft is longer than the left one. By the time this was realised, the driveshaft needed done as well.

Just thought I would post for other people's benefit.

Kostas

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PC Paul 19 years ago

I haven't got a Focus but I may well have in future so thanks for following up for the benefit of future Googlers!

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Focus front noise

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