Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 97 1.8 Strange whurring noise.

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Thu 4 Feb 2010 12:24
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
Hello all. My ford escort 75 van makes a strange noise when I get up to about 30 miles an hour, and the faster I go the more high pitched and louder it gets.

I can best describe the noise as a constant 'Whurring' sound, It sounds similar to when you have a really flat tyre. (of course I have checked all the tyres and they are fine).

It sounds as though it is coming from one of the back wheels but I'm not 100% sure.

There is no juddering/wobbling or any other symptoms, just this sound, and it seems to be getting louder!

Also I have jacked it up and given the wheels a wiggle to see if it is a bearing on its way out, but there was no play whatsoever.

Any Ideas? Ta.
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Thu 4 Feb 2010 19:22
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Dave_TD
Escort vans are pretty noisy at the best of times, have you checked for anything loose / dislodged / trapped in the load area that might be resonating at certain speeds?

Also, silly question but it does happen, could it be the road surface on the particular road you're driving on or does it happen everywhere? I only ask because a particular stretch of the A511 near me causes a noise and vibration exactly like that of a flat tyre on my Escort, to the point that I've stopped to check the tyres before realising that it only happens on that stretch of road.

Sorry I can't be of more help, no doubt others will before long.

Edited by Dave_TD {P} on 04/02/2010 at 19:23

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Thu 4 Feb 2010 21:31
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
Hmm, well actually it is louder on smooth, newly re-surfaced roads. But that may just be because the smooth surface eliminates other noises, such as rumbling.

I know its not something in the load area. Although I do know why you mentioned it. I was once baffled by a loud knocking noise every time I turned a corner, It worried me for days, then I worked out it was just an old wheel rocking around in the back!

Anyways, could it be something to do with the drum brakes on the back perhaps? I'm not really aware of what can go wrong with them, I've only ever dealt with disc brakes before.
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Thu 4 Feb 2010 23:01
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Peter.N.
Wheel bearing?
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Thu 4 Feb 2010 23:10
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Peter D
Yep, a wheel bearing. Regards Peter
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Fri 5 Feb 2010 05:15
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Englishbullterrier
Maybe someone clipped a playing card with a peg on the strut and it's rubbing on the inside of the wheel ? lol :-)
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Fri 5 Feb 2010 12:26
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
What makes you say wheel bearing? As I said in the first place I have checked the wheels for play and there is none, did you not read that bit or Is play in the wheels not a definitive method of checking?
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Fri 5 Feb 2010 13:49
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Lud
Is play in the wheels not a definitive method of checking?


A bearing that has become noisy won't necessarily have any excessive clearance. Noise can be caused by very minor damage to rollers, balls or bearing surfaces caused by grit. But it is almost certain to get steadily worse.
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Fri 5 Feb 2010 18:08
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
Hmmm, Well i'll just keep going til it either sorts itself out or goes pop!

I have a feeling its something with the brakes rather than a bearing though.
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Sun 7 Feb 2010 23:04
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Dave_TD
Are the tyres all the same? It might be worth swapping a couple of wheels around and seeing if the noise follows the wheel. I've had part-worns before now that must have been "mud & snow" rated from Germany or somewhere and they whirred like a Land Rover.
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Sun 7 Feb 2010 23:29
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - CraigP
You normally test a wheel bearing by spinning the wheel and listening for droning / grumbling type noises at these really low rpm.

Shoogling is for worn ball joints, or knackered bushes etc.

If it gets louder with speed, and there's no significant change to the noise with the handbrake pulled on a bit while driving, i'd be ordering up a wheel bearing.
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Tue 9 Feb 2010 00:41
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
Well ive done 200 miles in it this weekend and there has been no change, I reckon now that the problem might be a combination of what the first chap said (just me being paranoid) and what Dave said about the tyres, I'll give the swapping them round idea a go tomorrow and report back.



Then again, perhaps i'm just in denial. As general Melchard said "If nothing else works, then a pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through."
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Tue 9 Feb 2010 05:44
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - oilrag
Load up the wheel bearings by cornering hard, left and right in neutral. That will likely tell you if it`s a wheel bearing and which side.
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Tue 9 Feb 2010 22:21
97 1.8 Strange whurring noise. - Tommk4
How? By a change of noise or something?
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