1976Mustang

Well, on my Dad's 2005 Ford Focus Zx4, it's making a cricket sound at the front end. I mean it literaly sounds exactly like a cricket. Since it's a front wheel drive car, me and my dad think it could be the Transaxle or CJ joints.

It seems to only make the sound on the Driver(left) side, and the tone/pitch remains the same until we get to highway speed, but then it just gets drowned out. BUT, it doesn't happen when we are at a full stop, or moving slowly so it doesn't seem to be the Engine itself. And it also seems to go away when the wheel is being turned left.

My dad's off for 2 years on a Military contract as a medic, and since my Mom is going to be using this car for her daily 40 minute commutes to work soon, i want to get it Fixed. But i also don't want to bug our really friendly Mechanic again, since his little 3 bay shop is getting overwhelmed right now.

We ruled out Wheel bearings, engine and the brakes. So we think it could be either the transaxle or the CJ joints.

Any ideas?

jnicewan

I have seen a few of those make a squeek noise like that, does it have plastic hub caps? If so remove them and see if the noise goes away. If so look at the back of the hub cap and clean the retainer tabs and the outer area just outside of the tabs. Put some thin foam tape or some type of tape on the cap area so its not rubbing the wheel directly and reinstall.

bighouts5591

It's a wheel bearing, had the same thing on my GFs 06 focus....It's the weirdest sound I've ever heard a wheel bearing make. Fairly easy to fix if you have access to a press though, otherwise about $125 at a shop for parts and labor..

jnicewan

Yea, could be a wheel bearing, but your estimate is a little low unless shops around you like working for nothing, $125 P&L is damn good deal though I'd jump on it.