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Wife's Focus, 3 yrs old, 26K miles has started making a whining noise from the rear end. This rises and decreases in volume with road wheel speed. I've checked under car for trapped debris / loose lines etc. to no avail. I've come to the conclusion it's likely to be one / both rear wheel bearings. Is 26K miles par for the course with a Focus ? Is it as easy a job as it used to be on Escorts/Fiesta which I've done several times before ?? Thanks.
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26k would be premature to say the least, one would normally expect rear wheel bearings to last a lot longer! However, if its gone, its gone. I know the latest Mondeo's have had rear wheel bearing problems - maybe its the same part?
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There were some problems on the Focus with rear bearings - mine went at 25,000 miles (1 year) and the bloke in the garage said it wasn't unusual...
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Just a word of warning if car has ABS brakes;Make sure the corrct bearing is fitted,because cars with Abs have magnetised face on one side of bearing,for sensor to read wheel speed.
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BTB
This Ford TSB details your problem:
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.77/2002
Car and Light/Medium Commercial 22.08.2002
Section: 204-02
Model: Focus, built in Saarlouis up to 30.06.2001 and in Valencia up to 07.06.2001 (build code 1R)
Markets: All
Subject: Grinding noises from the rear wheels and shaking rear wheels or vibrations from the rear axle,
sporadic flickering of the ABS warning lamp
Summary
Should a customer express concern over grinding noises from the rear wheels and shaking rear wheels or vibrations from the rear axle, or on vehicles with ABS, sporadic flickering of the ABS warning lamp, the probable cause is damaged rear wheel bearings. Moisture entering the inside of the spindle carrier can lead to corrosion and damage to the bearing running surfaces and the rollers in the bearing.
To rectify this concern, a new rear wheel bearing must be installed, an additional sealing ring with protective cap installed on the spindle carrier and an additional oil seal carrier (stainless steel ring) must be installed on the wheel hub. In addition, on vehicles with disc brakes, a new spindle carrier must be installed.
Production Action
From 06.2001 (build code 1R), an additional oil seal and oil seal carrier have been installed on the rear
spindle carrier/wheel hub in production.
Regards
Charles
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Reading that notice looks like a major possible cause of problems on Focus in old age.. Maybe should be a recall?
madf
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Thanks all you guys for your time and advice. I'll attack it after the festive season. You people are what makes this the best motoring site on the net. Much appreciated. Merry Christmas. Bob XX
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Posted on here before Xmas and got some helpful replies. Noises emanating from rear offside wheel are now much worse. Has changed from a speed-variable whine to a clonking/banging. Wheel isn't loose, had the wheel off in the rain last night, everything secure but the drum was quite hot. I'm picking up a new bearing tonight. Could it be anything else other than bearing ? Is the job simply wheel/drum/cap off/undo nut and bearing pops out like it used to be on Fiesta/Escort ? NB Drum brakes, no ABS. Thanks.
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This sounds very dangerous to me, I think there should be a safety recall - a rear wheel could lock in icy weather and the car could lose control. It could even seize and cause problems in less severe conditions.
You can visit www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/ and ask them to email you a Safety Defect Report Form form.
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I had a rear wheel bearing go on my Focus. Car was less than a year old and had done less than 15,000 miles. It was only found following an inspection and clean out of the rear brakes. Bearing had literally fallen apart after the cage holding the spindles wore out.
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Job done ! Easy and straightforward enough BUT as the original had disintegrated, and after half an hour of futile banging with a hammer, I had to take the hub to an engineers where it took 7.5 ton pressure to pop out the remains of the old one !!
That cost me £8 and the bearing £22, so for £30 and a bit of effort, the wife is back on the road. Wonder when the nearside one will go !!!
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You would be well advised to replace the other side.It is normal practice.And save you the £8
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