Front-end noise is usually a sign that parts located in the front of your car that is related to steering or braking are worn or damaged. Driving your vehicle with front-end noise is dangerous because a loss of braking or steering control can lead to serious accidents. It’s best to have your car towed to your mechanic as soon as possible to determine the problem. Knowing what types of car problems cause these noises can help diagnose the problem quickly. We’ll discuss the most common front-end noises below.
Clunking
Front-end clunking noises usually occur when turning or going over bumps, and this is typically related to problems with suspension system parts like shocks or struts, or steering parts like tie rods or ball joints. These are critical parts and damage to them could lead to problems with steering and control, and should be fixed immediately. Fortunately, these problems are fairly easy to diagnose and can be relatively cheap to fix.
Grinding
Front-end grinding noises are usually caused by worn wheel or hub bearings. The grinding noise is a warning that the bearings are about to fail, which could lead to the wheel separating from the vehicle while driving. This can lead to very serious accidents, especially at high speeds, and should be addressed as soon as possible. Worn wheel bearings are very common and easy to diagnose.
Rattling
Front-end rattling noises are usually related to any number of suspension systems or steering parts failing. The rattling usually occurs when a bushing is worn or broken, causing lubricant to leak out and leading to metal parts rubbing or banging against each other. The sound could also be caused by a mount that has come loose or has broken. These are serious situations that could be dangerous, so it’s best to have a mechanic diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible.
Dragging
A front-end dragging noise might be the easiest problem to diagnose and is likely caused by a loose or broken skid plate or splash shield that is making contact with the ground when you drive. The broken piece should be visible by looking under the car. These are plastic parts that have become damaged and will need to be reattached by a professional, or replaced.
If you’re hearing any of these noises, it’s best to call your nearest shop and get these problems diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible.