Loud humming.

[archiebold]

I have a 93 Festiva (L?) Seems like the humming is coming from the front passenger side, starts getting near unbearable at around 62 and again around 73. The speed where it gets the loudest does change with the inflation pressure of the tire, what I mean is with a lower pressure in the tires, both those speeds are lower. (prolly just confused the heck outa ya, but hang in there plz) When turning right even the slightest, the sound goes a way and conversly, when turning left it gets deafening. Put the car in the air and wiggled the tire left to right and top and bottom (in and out) and it was tight. with the front end in the air, run it up to about 35ish and crank the wheel all the way one way and all the way the other, with no sound. Doesnt seem like the wheel bearing because the wheel is tight, and not the u-joint because there was no noise in the air, dont think it is the tires because the same thing happend with my Duster and rotating the tires didnt help. Sold that car before I could figure it out. I will rotate them when I find the tire iron agian.. already broke 2 ratchets on the darn lug nuts. Anyways, it has been making this noise ever since I had it.

Sorry about the long read, hope someone can help.
RJV

[Pgh5spd]

Even tho it doesn't completely sound like this is the problem, if it's stick, make sure the transmission is full of lube (2.6 qts ATF). Inspection & fill is thru the speedo cable port.

[mechanicaldj]

the wheel bearing do not have to be loose to be either seized or no grease left in them

and also look at the tire itself, could be a broken belt within the tire

does the wheel get hot after driving at high speeds? hotter than the other side?

[Tim]

Mine did that for the 3 years I owned my first Festiva.

And yes, it was a bad bearing - I just never got around to fixing it.

I drove the car 50k miles like that, but I would not recommend it because you have the potential to screw things up really badly.


Regards,

Tim

[archiebold]

Even tho it doesn't completely sound like this is the problem, if it's stick, make sure the transmission is full of lube (2.6 qts ATF). Inspection & fill is thru the speedo cable port.

To check it is through the speedo cable eh? Wouldnt it stop if i put it in nuetral and let it coast if this was the case??

The tires have relitively good tread on it, I should check the heat.

[packrat427]

NO, as long as the car is rolling , clutsh in or not , or in neutral, if you have a bearing problem going on , you will hear it as long as the car is rolling .

[PaulLehr]

My 90 L With the Aspire swap on it is beginning to do the same thing. I cant tell if its just tread noise from the tires or if its bearing noise. It goes away when I turn in either direction its just fairly loud when I drive in a straight line

[packrat427]

^^ If the noise changes when turning , I would say bearings for sure Paul.

[PaulLehr]

That's what I was afraid of. Is it any easier to do them on the Aspire hubs verses the Festiva?

[packrat427]

I have never done any yet , I am not sure which is easier , I would guess the Aspire ,I know there is something different there , just can't remember :roll:

[archiebold]

Sounds like the bearing for sure then. I will rotate the tires just to be sure (start cheap and work your way up I guess :? ) I will prolly have a Ford garage do it for me, sounds pretty tough from the threads I have read.
Thanks for all the help guys.
RJV

[packrat427]

Keep us posted on what you find