starting this morning ive been hearing a grinding noise when going from a stop to about 15-20mph and then it stops. sort of sounds like plastic on rough asphalt, but nothing is dragging. i can feel the grinding as well. from what i can tell, its coming from the front end, driver side/middle. car is an 02 v6 auto, 91k. any ideas?

 

did you check your brakes?

 

brakes were replaced less than 12 months ago, all pads and rotors.

 

Does it stop when the car shifts out of 1st cause thats about 15 to 20 mph or does it just kind of go away regardless of the shift

 

Lift the car car up and spin the wheels. If you feel resistance in any, that's your problem.

 

^ I wouldnt' go as far to say that THAT is your problem, but it's a start. Laserred6 is probably right on this one though. It used to be like that in first gear of my old sixer

 

im not 100% sure, ill report back after my drive home.

 

i bought my car with 47k and it now has 91k and i havent ever changed the trans fluid. would this cause a grinding?

 

Has it ever had the trans fluid flushed?

 

You may want to do a tranny flush regardless of what is causeing the noise

 

not since ive owned it. i dont know about prior to that.

 

Agreed.

 

you think i should do a flush or a drain and fill?

 

You can. Most people just go to a jiffy-lube, grease monkey or places like that, though.

 

the grinding takes place in all gears and in neutral while rolling down a hill. im thinking it could be a wheel bearing.

 

Like I said, raise the car and spin the wheels. If you feel resistance, that's your trouble spot.

 

yep, will be doing that tomorrow after work for sure. thanks for the tips.

 

check your rear axle for leaks... just had the same sound on my car 2001 Mustang GT. the grinding sound in my case was the differential and the pinion got F...ed up pain to fix... hopefully urs is not the same... good luck

 

pulled the front wheel hub today (drivers side) as it was the wheel that had play in it when we had it lifted.

the inside of the hub smelled like a rotting ***. could defintely tell the bearing was shot before we even opened it up. once it was opened, the retaining ring for the ball bearings was nearly gone in the outer bearing. the inner bearing wouldnt even turn without some major effort. had i driven to work another day (60mi round trip on the highway), i'd bet there would have been a major problem.

replaced the hub assembly and its good2go. wallet is 60$ lighter, but the car is all good.