02 neon rubbing noise

oldyellerrt · Post by **oldyellerrt** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:54 am

I have a noise coming from the font suspension. Sounds like a tire is rubbing, when you bottom out the suspension. It sounds worse when its cold. I've had bad wheel bearings before, and it doesn't sound like that. Any help would be great

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:00 am

I helped by moving your question to the correct section. In this section there are several threads about the same problem you posted about. My guess is you either need upper strut mounts or swaybar bushings. Have you replaced your lower control arm bushings yet?

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:59 am

Plus, have you inspected the tire/close areas to see if it is actually rubbing? Is it only when turning, or straight ahead?

oldyellerrt · Post by **oldyellerrt** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:00 pm

My 02 makes a nose that sounds like a tire rubbing, but I can't figure out what it is. I'm pretty sure it isn't a wheel bearing, as I have had a few of those and it doesn't sound anything like that. Noise is worse when it's cold, and when the suspension is compressed? Strut? Any help is much appreciated

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:08 pm

No reason to make another topic about this.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:46 pm

The only sound I know of that sounds like a tire rubbing is a tire rubbing. If you are low enough there is a pinch weld that your tire could be hiring where the fenders meet the frame. Took me awhile to find where I was hitting that on my car

oldyellerrt · Post by **oldyellerrt** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:29 pm

Sorry, I didn't see it, so I thought it didn't post due to my poor internet connection at work. I haven't replaced anything, it has 130k miles, it only does it when you are driving straight. It's also hard to tell which side it's coming from, but I think it's drivers side

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:51 pm

oldyellerrt wrote:Sorry, I didn't see it, so I thought it didn't post due to my poor internet connection at work.

If you don't know if a post went through, or one of us moderators moved it, but didn't have time to PM you it was moved, (Because we are prolly at work too) Just return to the forum index ( index.php ) and on the right side near the top, you have these options:

View posts since last visit
View your posts
View unanswered posts

Click on "View your posts" and if it posted, you will find it.

Back on topic...

It could still be a wheel bearing that is letting the tire lean enough that the brake rotor may be dragging against something or the tire. You may need to lift the tire off the ground via the LCA (Lower Control Arm) to keep the suspension as close to normal to see if the wheel can be shoved/pulled and if anything is contacting.

Just be sure to set the brake, etc when doing this, especially if all you have is the scissor jack to raise it. You only need to get it high enough to take the weight from the tire so it can be checked.

A more thorough inspection would possibly require removing the wheel to get a better look at things. Jack stands would be a better option here.

If you haven't done any timing belt/engine maintenance in the 130,000 miles you may want to get that stuff done also. The timing belt is recommended at 105,000. Search timing belt replacement, or failure, and you will get a good idea of why this is important.

oldyellerrt · Post by **oldyellerrt** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:09 am

Ok, I haven't had time to look at it in daylight, but on the drive to work I noticed it's barely noticeable when driving 60 and put it in neutral and coasting. Then when it's in gear at the same speed, it gets louder with bumps. I'm at a total loss. Motor mount, transmission, wheel bearing, strut? I don't washer to buy each and every part guessing what's wrong. But this is a new one to me.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:51 am

It's probably one of the motor or transmission mounts. I've got the same problem and I'm still tracking it down. I'm replacing the trans mount this weekend, so we'll see if that helps.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:44 pm

It's most likely the passenger side center motor mount. I just replaced mine and the rubbing/vibration noise is gone. The mount was cracked and leaking the fluid: viewtopic.php?t=60058

Mine started off with the same symptoms, but got much worse over the period of a year. It's a cheap part, but the install is a real pain.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:56 pm

fuuuuuuuuuck. I have this same problem. Should've done it while I did the timing belt last year

It only really does it while the car is cold and more noticeable while in gear as he mentioned. I was starting to think maybe it was the clutch or flywheel and the issue goes away after the car warms up.

Any idea what causes it to make a rubbing/vibration noise?

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:11 am

Not really sure. It's only supposed to hold the weight of the engine, but my guess is it doubles as a vibration damper as well. It doesn't have a lot of rubber in there to begin with, so when it rips the vibration goes straight to the frame.

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