Noise and Vibration


  #1  
Old 04-28-03, 12:36 AM
Steelblade
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Noise and Vibration

The car is a 1998 ford escort, standard. I think it's the 1.8 engine.

The engine on this one runs just fine, no troubles with it at all, but theer is a vibration coming from under the car when it's in motion. The amount of vibration relates directly to the speed of teh car, putting the car in neutral and working the clutch in and out has no affect at all on it. The car had an alignment done last year but the vibration wasn't affected in the slightest. Lately it's gotton worse. I think it's the constant velocity joint, but Im not sure. The wife thinks its the clutch assembly, but see above about still making the noise in neutral. I also checked the front tires for unusual wear pattern, ridges, bumps, etc. NOthing. I was going to put it up on jackstands (Taking a few saftey precautions as well, of course) and run it up to highway speed and see if it still made the noise then, but was unable to.

any suggestions?
 
  #2  
Old 04-28-03, 05:42 AM
Joe_F
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Swap the tires front to rear. If the problem goes to the back, it's wheel and tire related.

Barring that, could be worn suspension or steering parts. Don't delay---fix it immediately.
 
  #3  
Old 04-28-03, 01:45 PM
Steelblade
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Hi. Steelblade's wife here.

Thanks for the advice, but I think he left out some information that could make a lot of difference in how you would have answered. The reasons I think the clutch may be involved:

1. I no longer need 1st gear. Even on an incline I can come out of a full stop without any danger of stalling in second. If I'm level, I can come out of a full stop in 3rd gear.

2. I can cruise along at 30 mph in 5th gear; the car doesn't stall.

3. Any speed over 50mph and it feels like the engine is revving as high as it will go. I'm afraid to push it over 60 any more.

The car has over 110k miles on it. I've spoken to a mechanic on the phone, and while he says he wants to see it before making any decisions, it could very well need a new clutch.

Thanks, again.
 
  #4  
Old 04-28-03, 04:31 PM
darrell McCoy
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Good description... Sounds like clutch time to me. With that many miles if it has never been replaced, past due. A straight stick that works like an old fluid drive?? Interesting.
 
  #5  
Old 04-29-03, 06:25 AM
Joe_F
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I agree.
 
 

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