Loud deep humming noise

MIDNIGHTMARY

MEMBER
2003 FORD TAURUS

Six cylinder front wheel drive automatic.

Hi, I would appreciate any help. My car is at 73,000 miles and has been very good until now. Within the last week, a very heavy humming noise has appeared out of nowhere, I am 90% it is the front end, but I am not positive. The tachometer indicates that the transmission is shifting fine. The car is not overheating and if I take my foot off the brake on a slight incline, it starts to roll and it is not hanging up any, and there is no hesitation when accelerating. I do not think it is the CV joints, from prior experience (1988 and 1990 Taurus') they made clunking noises when they went bad. Does a front wheel drive have a wheel bearing in the front like it does in the rear? The humming noise is deep, not high pitched or 'whine' like.
Thank you for any help.

2 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

The humming noise is common when the IAC motor goes out much like you have discribbed.

Here is a guide to help you remove the IAC so you can replace it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

If that seems okay I would think it could be an CV axle bearing. Typically if you steer right or left the pitch of the hum changes or stops. They are a hub and bearing assembly.

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when changing the bearing out:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-cv-axle-bearing

Raise the car on stands so the front wheels are off the ground. Is there any play in either wheel?

Start the engine and put it in gear, parking brakes would be a good Idea. Use a stethoscope at each hub/knuckle on each side and confirm the louder one being mindful of the wheels spinning.

Please run down these guides and diagrams and report back.

Cheers