Whirring/vibrating sound from car - Any ideas?

JCR1987

Hi all,

I've got a 52 ford fiesta which i bought second had not long ago. It's started to make a whirring or vibrating type sound when i go over about 40 miles an hour, to the rear by the sounds of it and it gets louder the faster i go. I'm sure the sound is there at low speeds as well, but its not noticeable.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be before i take it to the garage?

Cheers,
JR

Stigy

By what you describe it sounds like a wheel bearing. Quite common on Fiestas of that era on quite a regular basis.

JCR1987

Stigy wrote: »

By what you describe it sounds like a wheel bearing. Quite common on Fiestas of that era on quite a regular basis.

Is that an easy fix? We had a clio a few years back where the tracking had gone in the front wheels and the steering used to vibrate, but it doesn't on the fiesta.

anewman

Definitely wheel bearing. If you aren't that clued up on DIY I recommend getting a garage to do it. It isn't unknown for wheels to fall off along with the hub when people tighten them up wrong. Should cost under £100.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

deffo wheel bearing pressed into hub carrier difficult to remove not a job for non experienced garage job will fail MOT if left till then.

Stigy

anewman wrote: »

Definitely wheel bearing. If you aren't that clued up on DIY I recommend getting a garage to do it. It isn't unknown for wheels to fall off along with the hub when people tighten them up wrong. Should cost under £100.

Indeed, especially with Fords! The hub nut has to be torqued to 180lb ft if memory serves me!

JCR, it's a reletively easy fix, although you might need a bearing press, which you probably dont have. It's a rear one though, which is good. If you're not confident with the tools, I suggest seeking a garage!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Stigy wrote: »

Indeed, especially with Fords! The hub nut has to be torqued to 180lb ft if memory serves me!

JCR, it's a reletively easy fix, especially given it's a rear bearing, although if you're not confident with the tools, I suggest seeking a garage!

ive done many rear and front bearing on fiesta's out of evey 20 i do there 1 thats a biatch of a pain to remove. hub nut does need to be torque'd well good though ditto on that, not too farr though have split a couple, 32' socket if im correct or 30' for rear and 32 front.
and best to renew split pin they decay over time and pulling and pushing them weakens them and that pins designed to stop the nut moving with vibration.

Stigy

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

ive done many rear and front bearing on fiesta's out of evey 20 i do there 1 thats a biatch of a pain to remove. hub nut does need to be torque'd well good though ditto on that, not too farr though have split a couple, 32' socket if im correct or 30' for rear and 32 front.
and best to renew split pin they decay over time and pulling and pushing them weakens them and that pins designed to stop the nut moving with vibration.

It's been known for them just to be done up with an air gun...I've heard a couple of horror stories, too.

Stigy

Also, that's why, when doing the rear brakes on Escots, Fieastas Kas and Focus' etc I always took the drums off by unsrewing the four bolts at the back of them.

JCR1987

Thanks guys, a relief to see you've all come to the same (hopefully inexpensive) diagnosis. I'll get the fiesta booked in to the garage asap.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

It may not be the wheel bearing. A faulty tyre can make exactly the same sound.

What you should do is jack that corner of the car up, and see if there's any play in the wheel.