Jon Kel Posted on May 25, 2015

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Front end grinding,making rubbing noise,Hard clunking & grinding noises

2 Answers

robert_grove

Expert 38 Answers
Posted on May 26, 2015

robert_grove

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Joined: Sep 30, 2010

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First, is it louder when turning?

The most likely cause is one of the Constant Velocity Joints (CV-Joints) has gone. These will last virtually forever unless the rubber boot that covers them gets torn and lets water and dirt in - then they self destruct in no time.

Crawl under the front end and look at the drive shaft half axles that run on each side from the transaxle to the wheel. Each half shaft will have an inner CV joint (located near the transaxle) and and outer CV joint (located near the wheel). These each have a rubber "boot" over them. Check the rubber boots and if one or more is torn open and can let water and dirt get to the CV joint, then you have likely found the problem. The outer ones are usually the ones with rips or holes in the rubber.

If these CV joints are bad enough to be making loud grinding noises, then they are on the verge of total failure and bad things happen - not the least of which is that they come apart and the engine/transmission is no longer connected to the wheel(s) and you can no longer drive. It is also possible for the partially connected shaft to drop down, and act like an iron pole vault for the front end, but this is much less likely.

If this is not the problem (although it likely is) the next step is to find which side the noise is coming from. You can do this by jacking up the front end and putting jack stands under the car. Start the car and put it in gear. Have one person in the car and one person outside. turn the wheels from side to side while running if it isn't immediately obvious. Add small amounts of engine speed while turning back and forth if necessary although if it is as bad as you describe, you will likely not have any trouble identifying where the noise is coming from.
There are lots of other possibilities ranging from things as simple as a bent back-plate rubbing the brake disk to failed or broken suspension or brake parts.

Depending on what this is, it could fail in ways that you lose steering control or a wheel completely departs the car, so find out what it is and get it fixed. It could be something quite dangerous.

If you have any doubts about what to do, take it to a front-end/brake shop in your area that has a reputation for fair and honest work. Check on-line or ask car-knowledgeable people you know and trust for recommendations.

Don't continue to drive it until you know what it is.

The failed CV-joint is very common on all front-wheel drive cars if they are driven with torn boots, so that's likely what it is. That isn't too serious. A rebuilt axle-half shaft, with both new CV-joints and new boots is usually cheaper than a single CV joint and boot and the whole half-axle can be changed in less than an hour, by a properly equipped shop. Pulling the axle, replacing one CV joint and boot, then re-installing the axle will likely take at least twice as long, so it generally doesn't make sense. Axle half-shafts are really quite easy to change if you have the right tools and a lift. On most cars you will need to replace all or some of the transaxle fluid when you do this, and if there is any sign of leakage around the transmission, the axle seals should be replaced at the same time. A new or rebuilt axle half shaft can usually be purchased complete with new axle nut at NAPA or Auto-zone, or on-line for less than a hundred dollars, but it is easy to check the part availability and cost for your specific drive-drain. Assume a shop will charge more for the part than your local auto parts place, but if you know what it would cost you to buy it retail, you have a way of knowing if the shop mark-up is fair or not. Do keep in mind that good shops will generally only use the best quality new or rebuilt parts as they lose time and money if the job comes back.

Good luck. I hope it isn't anything too serious.

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Bill Boyd

Chrysler Master 53,816 Answers
Posted on May 25, 2015

Bill Boyd

Chrysler Master

Joined: Jan 04, 2013

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Check wheel bearings
check brake pads and rotors
I would go for failed wheel bearings

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

120 Answers
Posted on Oct 25, 2008

SOURCE: clicking noise in the front end when making turns

Most likely this a broken CV joint and this means replacing the axle.

Anonymous

4 Answers
Posted on Nov 11, 2008

SOURCE: intermittent clunking in front end

pt cruiser are famous for lower control arm bushings they go bad take a tire iron and pry on the lower A-arm by thbushing and see if you have play

Anonymous

151 Answers
Posted on Dec 28, 2008

SOURCE: rubbing/squealing noise in front passenger side wheel well

Repeat the experiment and rotate wheels at same time. Might be just coincidence and it is actually a belt. My guess would be power steering.

Anonymous

1201 Answers
Posted on Mar 26, 2009

SOURCE: Front end noise on 97 Chrysler Cirrus

Check the wheel bearing, if you haven't already done so, mainly on the passenger side, but check both, to be sure.

valkierneth

76 Answers
Posted on Apr 16, 2009

SOURCE: clunking/rattling noise in the front end (2000 chrysler 300m)

you need to get the front end checked. it sounds like a suspension problem possibly your struts or sway bar but it could be a more serious problem. hope this helps

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---------
For step by step troubleshooting these problem,i suggest you to refer the help links mentioned below.Its a complete solution with proper explanation to identify the cause of problem:------

Click the link below:-----

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