Worrying Noise

[Hinch]

Over the past few weeks I have experienced a gradually increasing noise from the front end, which to say the least is worrying. ie it sounds expensive£££££££!!

The problem is, I have taken it to a garage who took it for a test drive and inspected it on the ramps but couldnt find anything. Of course the noise comes and goes, just to make it more tricky, but these days its more often there than not.

Could anyone take a guess at what it might be! Noises of course are notoriously difficult to describe but here goes.

First of all, most, though not all occurances are when cornering. The noise sounds like a dry joint tuning. ie metal on metal turning without lubrication. No knocking sounds or anything like that and most deffinatley front end. The garage had a good look around under the car and couldnt find a thing. However, its getting increasingly worse so I dont want to turn a blind eye.

Any suggestions welcome

Hinch

[Dave Eds]

This might sound way off but have you checked your coolant levels? I had strange noises that turned out to be due to loss of coolant from a very slight split in a hose when the system warmed up - water pump was pumping air!

[Sy V]

First guess (given what you've said) is a shot wheel bearing. But you say your garage have checked...

[RayD]

Try it on an empty car park driving round in a circle, in both directions.

Try to determine if the sound is related to the speed of the car or the speed of the engine – select neutral as soon as it happens, or providing you won’t be needing the brakes or power steering , turn the engine off while its happening to see if it goes away.

Ray

[Monty]

First guess (given what you've said) is a shot wheel bearing. But you say your garage have checked...

wheel bearings are cheap so that`ll be the 1st thing i`d changed.

I had a whining on Pinky when i purchased her and thought wheel beatings but there was no play in them, so took it to a garage and it was difficult to pin point and he though it was the gearbox, so swapped gear box and the bloody noise was still there. In the end it was the f`ing wheel bearings.

[dapinky]

Is the power steering fluid topped up?

If the level drops, the bag of hissing snakes attached to the steering system as standard get louder with even the slightest movement of the wheel.

[Enright]

Can you update your profile to include your location?

If you're close to a regular they may be able to offer a 2nd opinion.

Even better - if you're close to me or anyone I can get parts to you via, I have a couple of spare hubs with known decent bearings in that you could try. It might at least rule out the problem.

[Beats]

Mine made that sort of noise you mention when turning left after things warmed up. Turned out to be the brakes on that side. If you get a chance, brake when the noise is happening - mine stopped when I applied the brakes. Strip and inspect job.

Beats

[Hinch]

Thanks for your many replies

Took the Elan out for a drive this evening with the sole purpose of investigating further. Now it seems that the noise is really only present when turning the steering wheel to the left, even slightly. Seems like the brakes are worth checking after what you said Beats, especially as how the garage could find nothing wrong, I would be suprised if it was the brakes however because it just doesnt sound like a noise Ive heard from brakes before. Seems like something more steering orientated. Now the noise has become much more regular I think it could be a good time to return it to the garage.

Hinch

[F1 LOTUS]

You could check wheel temperature with the back of your hand, it might indicate if the brakes are dragging slightly?

[M100 TWO]

I would have a close look at the wheel bearings is there one wheel with more brake dust on it?
diff

[Monty]

Thanks for your many replies

Took the Elan out for a drive this evening with the sole purpose of investigating further. Now it seems that the noise is really only present when turning the steering wheel to the left, even slightly. Seems like the brakes are worth checking after what you said Beats, especially as how the garage could find nothing wrong, I would be suprised if it was the brakes however because it just doesnt sound like a noise Ive heard from brakes before. Seems like something more steering orientated. Now the noise has become much more regular I think it could be a good time to return it to the garage.

Hinch

If it`s only doing when turning then it may not be the wheel bearing as they would whine all the time

Could be driveshaft related

what type of noise is it, a whining?

[dermotbell]

My experience of shot wheel bearings is that they only make noise all the time when they are about to collapse but that the initial noise will happen on turning. Such that the more weight (ie harder turn) you put on the wheel the louder the noise is, and normally nothing when turning the opposite way.

[Hinch]

Well, it seems from the posts that the wheel bearing is a strong contender.

I will be very please indeed if that is all it is and not something much more serious.

Hope to get the car into the garage again today so will report back if they manage to solve the mystery.

Thanks for all you replies

Hinch

[Hinch]

The man at the garage suspects the wheel bearing now too. But nothing definate yet until hes taken another look.

Well done to all those of you who guessd right!!

Hinch

[Beats]

My money is on the brakes. Did you try applying them when the noise occured? It was a real howling rotating grinding kind of noise on mine.