whirring noise from the front

[geboman]

I have a 2004 Lincoln LS V8 with 120,000 miles on it.

There is a "whirring" or vibration type noise coming from the front of the car. I'm not sure if it's under the hood or something underneath the front of the car.

The noise starts at 40mph and gradually gets louder as I speed up.

It almost sounds like an exhaust noise --- but the car doesn't have any exhaust noise when in the garage, etc. I've even tried putting the car in drive with my foot on the brake and pushing the accelerator and there was no exhaust noise.

I've tried unplugging the fan and giving the car a short drive --- but no luck there.

So far as I can tell.....everything under the hood is tight.

Any ideas on this one?

Thanks,
Geoffrey

 

[G-RELL]

with the limited info... perhaps a bad tire or wheel bearing...

 

[joegr]

So, it sounds like the noise matches road speed instead of engine speed. You can verify this by shifting to a lower gear when the noise is present. Keep the same speed and see if the noise changes. If it does, then it's engine related. If it doesn't (more likely) then it's probably a wheel bearing or maybe a brake issue. You could rotate the tires front to back to try an eliminate them as the issue.

 

[jmtiseo]

Sounds like a bearing to me. It's not something that I would let go until failure.

 

[geboman]

I've tried it in D5 and D4 and the manual shift option. With all of them it still makes the noise.

 

[jmtiseo]

I think this is a member on here but your wheel shouldn't be doing this. There's a way to check your bearings which you'll be able to find somewhere else online. This one was kinda obvious but there's way to check. Long story short you shouldn't be able to move your wheel on the hub.

Lincoln LS bad rear wheel bearing (hub) - YouTube

 

[Stopsign002]

I think this is a member on here but your wheel shouldn't be doing this. There's a way to check your bearings which you'll be able to find somewhere else online. This one was kinda obvious but there's way to check. Long story short you shouldn't be able to move your wheel on the hub.

Lincoln LS bad rear wheel bearing (hub) - YouTube

Yikes...that bearing has a scary amount of give

 

[stugots]

I just replaced my passenger side front wheel hub. I was having the same symptoms and my tire was worn pretty funny. I didn't have as much play as in that video but you should be able to tell. I got my front hub assembly for around $80, and its a really easy job.

But check the tire first.

 

[geboman]

The tires are less than a year old ---- showing no wear.

Going to check the ball joints, etc today............

While I'm at it....the rear end is noisy (car has 120k miles). Would I need to replace the rear end with a new one or what?

 

[jmtiseo]

The tires are less than a year old ---- showing no wear.

Going to check the ball joints, etc today............

While I'm at it....the rear end is noisy (car has 120k miles). Would I need to replace the rear end with a new one or what?

Define noisy. Does it make a whining sound between the speeds of 50-60?

 

[geboman]

It's a roaring sound

 

[joegr]

It's a roaring sound

Wheel bearing or tires then.

 

[cirelle]

That video looks like a failing bearing. If you don't get it fixed you will also be replacing the shaft that goes to the differential. Had that problem on a 64 sport coupe. stuff was cheaper back then (71-72)