I took my ford escort 1990 eclips to the garage to let them diagnose a rumbling / knocking noise I have coming from the front of the car when driving. The noise has got louder over the past recent five months.
The noise is less evident when going up quite a steep hill where I live. Also when steer the car on a bend to the right its not as load until I straighten up the car again.
The garage test drove the escort then put it on thre ramp and jacked up the front so that they where able to spin the front wheels when in gear accelerating.
They told me it was ethier one of the two front ball joints or the noise was coming from the gearbox. They said it was one of those situations where it could be any of those faults.
For the garage to do the ball joints alone would be £150.00 and no quote was given to repair the gear box. Clearly it would not be cost effective to repair if it is the gear box.
I was not charge by the garage for their time on this ocassion. Has any one any other ideas besides what the garage told me ?
Edited by Pugugly on 25/02/2009 at 23:08
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How about wheel bearings ?
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I would also suggest a wheel bearing, the one that that causes the noise to increase when the weight is thrown on to that side. If the noise increases when you turn left, it will be the o/s one. It will only make a noise while the weight of the car is on it. If its not intolerable I wouldn't worry about it, could last for miles yet.
Edited by Peter.N. on 24/02/2009 at 17:08
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Get a second opinion the garage MUST know if the ball joint is worn or not it's not a maybe.
The wheel bearing can make the noise so can the diff it can whine, did they check for gearbox oil?
What is the mileage?
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The wheel bearing can make the noise so can the diff it can whine did they check for gearbox oil?
SQ
QUESTION
Where is the inspection point in the engine to check for gearbox oil ?
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/02/2009 at 18:37
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it's on the gearbox at the front near the starter i think it's been 10yrs since we had one, a allan key fitment, maybe 2 one drain other level check.
Again what is the mileage?
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THE MILEAGE IS 240,000
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I dont mean this rudely.
1990 escort, 240 k miles.
Rumbling noise at front but not obviously evident.
No charge from garage for road tes and ramp time.
Maybe they are suggesting its about had its day ? :)
If not happy get another opinion, but honestly I doubt if the car is worth the expense needed if it has to be done by a garage?
Difficult to say what it is without hearing the noise but it could be any or all (or more) of the following.
Gearbox
Driveshafts/ CV Joints
Wheel bearings
Ball joints/bushes (unlikely imo)
Springs
Engine noise
Steering assembly
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Must agree at that mileage it can be lots of worn things but you need a second opinion.
Auctions have plenty of cheap cars at the moment with the country on it's knees you may pick up a bargain.!
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I had a 1987 Orion 1.4 & as you say the filler/level plug is on the front of the g/box,there is no drain plug. It takes an Allen key ,8mm I think,you will need a piece of pipe to go over the key to give you extra leverage as the plugs are usually as tight as the proverbial ducks exhaust pipe,and there is not much room to spare between that and the rollbar.
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