Squealing Noise When Turning

[Guest Parmar]

Hi guys, I'm new here..

 

I'm about to buy a 2002 Ford Mondeo 1.8LX. I took it for a test drive and everything checked out fine. Had no problems with anything, engine looked fine, wasn't too clean (so no signs of attempting to hide anything) no signs of leaks and drove really well (almost like new).

 

After having driven it for about for about 10 minutes (on bumpy roads as well as a motorway), we were heading back to the owners house. The roads were a little bendy and on turning on these bends at about 25/30mph, a really load squealing noise suddenly started (no bangs or knocking sounds). It would only happen when I was turning. There was no change to the performance though.

 

I eliminated the idea of it being the brakes as I wasn't braking at the time. I dont think it was the clutch (50,700 miles on the clock), pick up was fine too. The noise would only happen when I turned in either direction after about 10 minutes of driving and I dont know what it could be.

 

I really liked the car but obviously I'm a little concerned about this noise depending on what it might be.

It occured on almost every turn I made, even when turning onto the owners driveway.

 

My initial guess is that it could be something to do with the power steering, perhaps low fluid or slipping belt but I'm no mechanic. If it is something like this, then I'd be happy to make the purchase and deal with it but if its something else then perhaps I might have to look else where..

 

Has anyone else had any such symptoms? What could this be? Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

 

-Parmar

[Andrew T]

When I've had a slipping belt it's only happened uner high load conditions, i.e. full lock - I think it would be unusual to get the squeeling when driving (i.e. part lock) but not to experience it on full lock as well. You can sometimes get a slack belt to squeel after driving through a large puddle - but that seems a bit unlikely with the present weather. Could the tyre have contacted a mis-aligned mud flap ? you should see evidence of scuffing if it has.

[Guest Parmar]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the suggestion but I clearly remember checking the clearance between the wheel and mud guards during my checks even with the wheels fully turned so I can safely say it wasnt that.

 

Just wondering now if it could be something like the wheel bearings. Having said that, it did drive fine and quietly for the first 10 minutes..

 

Any other suggestions??

[Andrew T]

Any other suggestions??

 

 

Wheel bearings would be a muted whirring or rumbling noise, going on or off on corners depending if that bearing was under load or not.

 

The only thing I've had that was similar (and it took a while to find it) was a newly fitted exhaust which was misaligned and contacting the drive shaft, but only when braking hard into sharp, downhill left hand bends. It made a noise like someone abusing a piglet.

[Guest Parmar]

...it made a noise like someone abusing a piglet.

 

:huh: Nice metaphor!

 

Cool, well I think I'm going to take the plunge and go for it anyway. The car is perfect in every other way and a good price too. I'll investigate it further once I have it and post the results here. Cheers!

[gregers]

use the problem as a bargaining tool and try to get it cheaper,coz you nether no it might cost big bucks to get it sorted.

 

regards gregers

[Guest Parmar]

I hate bartering but will give it a shot. I've already brought the price down by a few hundred after discovering the problem till we came to an agreement so not sure he'll drop further..

[Andrew T]

If it was something contacting the drive shaft, a shiney witness mark should be cleary visible.

[Guest Parmar]

Since my last post, I've bought this Mondeo and it is a really nice car however, not long later that dreaded squealing came back. This time I found out (as Andrew T quite rightly guessed) it was the left rear wheel bearing hub.

 

After its warmed up (about 20 mins of driving) it begins to produce a sort of grinding sound (at very low speeds) and turns into a squeal as I pick up speed. I'm glad I managed to knock a few hundred