My Mondeo is making an odd noise...

[Geoff82]

I've Got a late 2003 Mondeo Tdci with 102,000 miles on the clock and for some reason it has started making an odd noise. The noise itself is quite hard to describe but the best I can do is that it is a low grinding / whining noise. It actually sounds a bit like the hoverboard from Back to the Future 2 (If thats the right film!)

The noise is audible above 30 mph, gets to its loudest at around 50-60 mph and is drowned out by road / wind noise above 80 mph.

It doesn't make any difference:
- What gear I'm in / Engine speed
- Whether I'm coasting or not or indeed any engine load
- If I change direction
- If I apply the brakes

It sounds as though it is coming from the rear of the car and the rear brake pads were replaced only 2000 miles ago. My suspicion is a wheel bearing is on its way out but there isn't any additional vibration which I can feel through the steering wheel or the car itself, however one of the front bearings has started 'singing' intermittently though is not quite in need of replacement yet.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Thanks in advance!

[gdp1]

I have a 04 Mondeo 2.0 TdcI Ghia X Estate and I have exactly the same scenario. It could actually be the same car from what you have discribed.
I have been putting cheap tyres on, and thought it may be that??
Any suggestions anyone?

[Geoff82]

gdp1 said:

I have a 04 Mondeo 2.0 TdcI Ghia X Estate and I have exactly the same scenario. It could actually be the same car from what you have discribed.
I have been putting cheap tyres on, and thought it may be that??
Any suggestions anyone?

Hmmm well i've got 4 Michelin Primacy HPs which are all well above minimum tread depth so I think I can rule out tyres in my case.

[t84]

Wheel bearings?

[madhubbs1]

yes wheel bearing jack her up and if noise that bad you will have play hope this helps

[Geoff82]

Well I've had a look - there's no play in the bearings but there is a grinding noise when I rotate the wheel. Suspect the brakes are binding, but its doing it to a lesser extent on one of the front wheels too (Which intermittently 'sings' so the bearing is definitely on its way out on that wheel at least!).

Its booked in to the local garage on friday: I still think its the bearings as applying the brakes when driving does nothing to abate the noise.

[Geoff82]

madhubbs1 said:

yes wheel bearing jack her up and if noise that bad you will have play hope this helps

Well guessed! took it to the local garage and they replaced the offside rear bearing. Not cheap though so will have to hope the other bearings hold out.