[torradan]

I had no idea where to even start searching on this one.

Here is the scenario:

My wifes car is a 2002. Last night, it was running just fine. I'm about 100 miles away currently, and can't get there to check it out.

Her dad (who is a pretty large guy - ~375lbs I'd guess) and mom (about normal) needed to borrow it for the day.

They pick up my wife from work, and she noticed immediately that its making a "wub wub" noise. Told her to go out and give it a test drive, and see if it was just the weight that was causing some rubbing or something. Nope.. its still going "wub wub". She also says that the wheel is vibrating a lot, and that its difficult to turn. Also, they didn't run into -- or over -- anything while they were out.

I'm trying to figure it out using her noises and explainations, but not making much progress.

Blown CV joint? Bearing?

Anyone able to figure this one out? I'm stumped. She is going to take it to Ford to have it looked at, and I'm really trying to avoid that if at all possible.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me. She's totally freaking out, and not being nearby, its rough.

[zx5power]

when turning ? all the time ? maybe a strut mount , jack the tire up check for wobble if none bearings are good , visually inspect joints and cv boots check for play

[zx5power]

sounds like power steering issue , loose belt , low fluid

[oldeguy]

Ball joints? Loose wheel nuts? Flat tire?

[j3rt]

I'm inclined to go with loose wheel nuts.

[Mason]

Sounds like a problem in one of the Hub Assemblies.

[NOS2Go4Me]

I'd say blown bearing / hub assembly or loose wheel nuts.

Did you guys swap from winter to summer tires recently?

[torradan]

Nah she rocks the all seasons, so no tire changes. Lugs are torqued on properly, none were loose. Tires are good, no rubbing on the inner fender, nothing.

My brother in law took it for a test drive, and she was along for the ride as well. The wubwub is gone while driving, and the steering wheel is turning better and no vibrations, but when he had the hood up and listening around, he said the power steering pump the noise they make when they're about to die, and he said the belt looks worn.

So off she goes at the buttcrack of dawn to have it checked out. Hopefully its warranty work, otherwise I'll be heading up there to work on it in the morning.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[torradan]

Great. So she takes her car to Freeway Ford or whatever its called.. of course their "front end specialist" isn't in until Monday. What a load of garbage. A regular mechanic couldn't check it out?

[NOS2Go4Me]

Not for the same rate they want to charge you potentially!

[torradan]

I meant like a general mechanic at the stealership.. but her car is there now. When she drove it in yesterday she had no power steering.

So she'll find out tomorrow. At least its covered.

[torradan]

Stealership diagnosis: steering rack is shot, and is being replaced. And of course, an alignment afterwards.

[oldeguy]

torradan,Apr 30 2007, 11:56 AM Wrote:Stealership diagnosis:  steering rack is shot, and is being replaced.  And of course, an alignment afterwards.
[right][snapback]236820[/snapback][/right]

All under warranty. Get a rental too, ask for a Fusion

[torradan]

Alignment would be under warranty as well? (im guessing it would be, since they have the front end pulled apart)