Edit: Turns out that this noise is the result of a failed O/S driveshaft support bearing, in case anyone gets the same problem

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Hi. Newbie to the forum here. Was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on a problem I'm having with my 2006 1.4 Fiesta Ghia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j7q3jR3fXM&feature=youtu.be

I would have posted it in the Fiesta forum but felt it was more appropiate here as it doesn't just apply to the Fiesta. Feel free to move it if necessary.

Basically I'm getting a noise under braking from the front of the car that sounds like clicking. In short it's like the noise of a cable tie hitting something, or like a playing card hitting the spokes of a bike (you know when you did that when you were a kid....).

It's not in time with the wheel revolution, it's more constant than that: click- click-click.

It's noticable from 20mph down to standstill.

Specifically it happens when the drive train is hot. Moving off when the car has been sat quiet for an hour or more results in no noise whatsoever.

After about 10mins of running at 50mph+ it starts.

What I've noticed is that the inner CV joint on the offside gets exceptionally hot, and the central driveshaft too- I can't touch it. On the nearside it's possible to hold the CV joint indefinitely.

I've noticed that the exhaust downpipe is ridiculously close to the driveshaft and the offside inner CV joint/ intermediate bearing.

I'm wondering if this has caused the grease to dry out or something and as a result it's damaged the joint or bearing.

There are no splits in the gaiters and no signs of any grease around the engine bay/ arches.

The car has 50K on the clock so it's not even high mileage

Anyone experience anything similar? Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

Andy

Just jacked the car up after it did it again.

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks

Andy

just a guess as i dont know a hell of a lot about cars mechanicaly but could be a wheel bearing ?? have you checked that? if not get it down to a local garge im sure they will find otu what it is

I can't feel any play in it, but I guess it's a possibility that it's on its way out as opposed to have failed. I've experienced some bearing failures in the past, but not heard anything like this.

i really dont know sorry, for me it would be a garage jobby, im sure someone on here knows what it could be

No worries, thanks for taking the time to comment. I am intending to take it to the garage, but am hoping someone can point me in the right direction in case they haven't heard it before (unlikely, but hey). The problem is, it doesn't do it when cold, or even after about 15 mins of stopping so chances are it'll be on it's best behaviour at the worst possible time. At least it's on video now!

yh no worries, and you have the vid so just show the mechanic that they will soon see what your meaning, and my best bet is that its a common problem ie the mechanic will know what it is, when its cold it might have if its metal expended a little so what ever it is, is seated or sat properly and when warm it moves around that would be my guess any way but good luck

Turns out that the noise was the result of a failed driveshaft support bearing. £176 all in to fix. Not too bad I suppose.