Whining noise from Mondeo

[8potdave]

I bought myself a cheap Mondeo to use for work quite recently. When I picked it up there was a whining coming from the front end. I put this down to a wheel bearing and took it to my friend who is a mechanic. He said both the rear wheel bearings were absolutely shot but the fronts were fine. He changed them and also replaced the discs and pads all round as they were close but the noise still remained!

It's gone through an MOT today with no advisories so there is obviously no play anywhere but I cannot understand it. The noise gets louder and louder with speed NOT with engine revs. It stays the same if I push the clutch in at any speed, but I've noticed when turning left it almost disappears! There is a snow tyre on the front left wheel which could be the cause as obviously when going round a left bend the weight is transferred to the right. However I wouldn't have thought one tyre could cause so much noise. Any other suggestions? Car is a 2001 Mondeo Zetec petrol.

[davepoth]

Swap the wheels round - if it's a dry day the tread running backwards (if they're directional) isn't an issue.

[Faxo]

It'll be the tyre

[8potdave]

I was aiming to try that today but the stupid bloody locking wheel nut wouldn't come off. I have to say Ford locking nuts are one of the stupidest designs I've ever seen! I'll give it another go tomorrow, the spare wheel has a good tyre on it so will try that.

[S0 What]

Check the gearbox oil? could be the diff? or the intermediate bearing on the drivers side, both sound similar to wheel bearings ?

[Phil Dicky]

Whining from the front usually the missus..."from the rear it's the kids

[TheTurbonator]

If it's a mark 1.5 then it's got something to do with the alternator. Mine had exactly the same noise and I tried wheel bearings and also changing the tyres.

When I sold it on Ebay, I listed the noise and a guy who saw the add got in contact with me telling me he was a Ford specialist and that it's a common fault on the Mondeo. When I looked into it, he was spot on. Can't remember what it was exactly but as I said it's something to do with the alternator.

[8potdave]

Thank I'll investigate more at the weekend. It's very strange how it goes away on left hand corners though, surely the alternator and the diff would continue making a noise regardless of this?

[TRUENOSAM]

Check the tyres for stepping by spinning the wheel and look at the possibility of a no consistent rotation

[Rickyy]

Tyres can cause odd noises. Both my Focus and 156 were making a droaning noise that sounded like a wheel bearing. New set of rear tyres sorted it on both occasions.

[Sogra]

Sounds like CV joint possibly just dry at this stage, try taking the rubber boot back and forcing some grease in then fasten boot back up. Make sure you use the right grease. (white lthium I think but double check)

[Mr2Mike]

TheTurbonator said:

If it's a mark 1.5 then it's got something to do with the alternator. Mine had exactly the same noise and I tried wheel bearings and also changing the tyres.

When I sold it on Ebay, I listed the noise and a guy who saw the add got in contact with me telling me he was a Ford specialist and that it's a common fault on the Mondeo. When I looked into it, he was spot on. Can't remember what it was exactly but as I said it's something to do with the alternator.

If it was an alternator problem the noise would vary with engine speed, not road speed.

I've had tyres where the tread blocks wore in an odd way and made very loud whining noises that sounded just like a knackered wheel bearing.