1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 4.6 V8/auto, 98k miles.

Noticed today when driving with the windows down (which I used to never do considering my window didn't work until I replaced the regulator last week) That there is an unusual sound coming from the car when it's in motion. It's a metallic sound, not quite a scraping and definitely not a grinding. More like the sound you'd get when sliding two metal objects against each other. The sound is not observed when the car is not moving. Also, it is not constant but occurs at a rhythm proportionate to the speed of the car.

Any ideas?

4/7/2013 6:29:14 PM

this can mean that you need new brake pads

4/7/2013 6:35:37 PM

^

4/7/2013 7:50:27 PM

^^ Definitely the most likely explanation.

4/8/2013 1:07:26 AM

I had a similar noise on an old vehicle. Turned out to be a broken weld on the muffler's end plate. It sounded like it was tied to axle/tire rotation, but I guess it was just related the frequency/vibration of the vehicle at certain RPMs that would make the noise come and go.

4/8/2013 9:37:19 AM

This sounds similar to the god awful humming/grinding (sometimes accompanied by a faint rattling) noise that's started coming from my 89 325i. Only seems to come during acceleration, from about 1700-2200 rpm. Google has convinced me that it's exhaust related. Exhaust was replaced last September, but I haven't had time to get underneath for a look.

4/8/2013 10:52:56 AM

it doesn't meet your description exactly*, but a worn guibo is a common source of rumbling in older BMW's, e30 included.


*i mention since written descriptions of noise can sometimes be vague, google e30 worn guibo and see if that sounds like what you are experiencing

4/8/2013 2:12:37 PM

don't think ford uses guibos

"what? rubber in my drive shaft?? why would i do that??"

4/8/2013 2:29:37 PM

the '89 325i i was replying about does

4/8/2013 2:36:58 PM

Brake pads should have occurred to me. I've only had the car since January and don't drive it very often, so I figured I would have heard a squeal first. Just hope the pads aren't worn so badly that the calipers are scoring the rotors (though the one time I've had a car do that, it was a rumbling sound, not a scraping/sliding).

The car was a hand-me-down from my parents after they got a newer one. Would have been nice if they mentioned it was going to need pads soon...lol.

4/8/2013 3:24:28 PM

You'll have poor brake performance or maybe a pull from one side or another before a caliper starts cutting into the rotor. And the wheels would be covered in scrubbed up metal from the metal the pad material is mended to

It's a crown Vic not a BMW.

4/8/2013 4:20:50 PM

wheel bearing

4/8/2013 10:27:15 PM

^Thought of that too. Brake pads would be easier though.

4/8/2013 11:26:48 PM

if it's the brake pads the noise will change when the brakes are applied. is this the case? if not, i'd remove the belt and spin each pulley by hand to feel if one is bad. check for wobble in the harmonic balancer.

i'm guessing bad harmonic balancer or fan clutch.

4/9/2013 8:29:41 AM

^The idea makes sense but it doesn't do it at all when the car isn't moving. In drive at a full stop or in park, it's quiet as a church mouse. (Or as quiet as a 16 year old Ford 4.6 can be, which is pretty quiet considering.)

4/9/2013 10:08:12 AM

then i have no clue. i guess i'd have to hear it. maybe it's a volume 14 noise?

4/9/2013 8:28:53 PM

take it to a shop and ask to put it on the lift in gear so you can have a look

slip the guy a 20

4/9/2013 9:08:11 PM

Check the ball joints and sway bar end links on that unit.

4/9/2013 10:05:03 PM

Drove it for the first time since Sunday and now, to go along with the noise, there is an intermittent vibration at highway speeds. It comes and goes.

The noise is still there but I verified it is not audible with the windows up. Can only be heard with the windows down, driving past a surface that will reflect sound (sides of buildings, mostly).



[Edited on April 11, 2013 at 9:15 AM. Reason : d]

4/11/2013 9:13:06 AM

it is time for you to buy a bmw

4/11/2013 11:40:01 PM

Wheel bearings bro. Check em out.

4/11/2013 11:40:52 PM

Just get someone who knows what they're doing to drive it around the block and they'll probably be able to tell you what's up. My housemate is a skilled mechanic and I've learned a good deal from him, you can tell most simple problems just from knowing the noise and where its coming from.

If it's still an issue I can have him take a look at it for you, and he'll probably charge a couple bucks for the time and tell you where to go to have it fixed cheapest (or do it himself if he has time).

4/12/2013 3:47:40 AM

how about going with step 2: take it to a shop and put it on the lift.

4/12/2013 8:56:18 AM

Planning on doing that, haven't had the time yet. Just figured I'd throw the extra info in there.

@fregac, I appreciate the offer, but I'm in Richmond, VA these days. Hell of a drive for a mechanic visit.

4/12/2013 3:57:37 PM

A fucking BMW will have worse suspension problems that the Vic.

4/12/2013 8:17:14 PM

Took it to a local shop, they put it up on the lift and found out that a backing plate was rubbing on one of the rotors, hence the noise. Straightened out said plate and it's now noise-free. Cost me $45 for the labor but that's not something I would have found myself. And they verified that the bearings are ok while it was up.

[Edited on April 30, 2013 at 1:29 PM. Reason : The vibration may have been in my head. Seems to not do it anymore.]

4/30/2013 1:28:28 PM

Fucking dicks charged a half our labor for bending a backing plate with a pry bar. God sorry dude

4/30/2013 7:37:32 PM

^Pretty damned fair for putting it on the lift, finding the problem and fixing it. Half hour is the minimum labor charge at most shops.

5/1/2013 3:31:29 AM

^That's what I figured, half hour labor was probably the best I was going to be able to do. Of course since I had some other work done, they didn't have to charge, but they're running a business after all.

5/1/2013 8:34:39 AM

$45 was well worth the lack of aggravation.

5/1/2013 8:10:23 PM

A dust shield ain't shit. It's almost automatic when you hear it and most reputable shops will just say don't worry about it and just come see ya next time you need something.

5/2/2013 7:35:48 PM