Symptom Table - NVH

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: NVH symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to GLOSSARY OF TERMS . Since it is possible any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, refer back to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

SYMPTOM TABLE - NVH

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Axle howling or whine - front or rear axle	Axle lubricant low Axle housing damage Damaged or worn wheel hub bearings Damaged or worn differential ring and pinion Damaged or worn differential side or pinion bearings	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification. INSPECT the axle housing for damage. INSTALL a new axle as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . CHECK for abnormal wheel hub bearing play or roughness. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION . INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Driveline clunk - loud clunk when shifting from reverse to drive	Incorrect axle lubricant level Excessive backlash in the axle Damaged or worn pinion bearings Damaged or worn U-joints	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification. CHECK the axle backlash. INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT the U-joints for wear or damage. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Driveline clunk - occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop	Worn driveshaft CV joint or U-joints with excessive play Loose rear axle mount	INSPECT the CV joint and U-joints for a worn condition. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . CHECK the axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Driveline clunk (Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles) - occurs during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn inner CV joint	INSPECT the inner CV joint and boot. INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to INSTALLATION .
Clicking, popping or grinding - occurs while the vehicle is turning	Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the CV joints Loose wheel end nut Another component contacting the halfshaft	CHECK the CV boots and joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to INSTALLATION . CHECK wheel hub nut torque. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . CHECK the halfshafts and the area around the halfshafts. REPAIR as necessary.
High pitched chattering - noise from the rear axle when the vehicle is turning	Incorrect or contaminated lubricant Damaged or worn differential (differential side gears and pinion gears)	CHECK the vehicle by driving in tight circles (5 clockwise, 5 counterclockwise). DRAIN and REFILL with the specified rear axle lubricant and friction modifier as necessary. INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Buzz - buzzing noise is the same at cruise or coast/deceleration	Incorrect driveline angles	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE ANGLE MEASUREMENT .
Rumble or boom - noise occurs at coast/deceleration, usually driveshaft speed-related and noticeable over a wide range of speeds	Driveshaft is out-of-balance U-joints are binding or seized	CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. REFER to DRIVESHAFT RUNOUT AND BALANCING . ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Grunting - normally associated with a shudder experienced during acceleration from a complete stop	Driveshaft CV joint binding Loose rear axle mount bolts or suspension fasteners	INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT the rear suspension and axle. TIGHTEN the fasteners to specification. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Howl - can occur at various speeds and driving conditions. Affected by acceleration and deceleration	Incorrect ring and pinion contact, incorrect bearing preload or gear damage	INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Chuckle - heard at coast/deceleration. Also described as a knock	Incorrect ring and pinion contact or damaged teeth on the coast side of the ring and pinion	INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Knock - noise occurs at various speeds. Not affected by acceleration or deceleration	Gear tooth damage to the drive side of the ring and pinion	INSPECT and INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Scraping noise - a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speeds	Worn or damaged pinion bearings	INSTALL a new axle assembly as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Driveline shudder - occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop	Rear drive axle assembly mispositioned Loose rear axle bolts Driveline angles out of specification U-joints binding or seized Binding or damaged driveshaft CV joint	CHECK the axle mounts and the rear suspension for damage or wear. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL . CHECK the rear axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . CHECK for correct driveline angles. REFER to DRIVELINE ANGLE MEASUREMENT . ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT the driveshaft CV joint and coupling shaft for wear or damage. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds	Worn U-joints Worn or damaged driveshaft center bearing support Loose axle pinion flange bolts Excessive axle pinion flange runout Driveshaft is out-of-balance Binding or damaged driveshaft CV joint Excessive driveshaft runout Driveline angles out of specification Incorrectly seated CV joint in the wheel hub	CHECK for wear or incorrect seating. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . CHECK the insulator for damage or wear. ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . INSPECT the axle pinion flange. TIGHTEN the pinion flange bolts to specification. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . CARRY OUT a runout check. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL . CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. CHECK the driveshaft balance. CARRY OUT a driveline vibration test. REFER to DRIVESHAFT RUNOUT AND BALANCING . INSPECT the driveshaft CV joint for wear or damage. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION . CARRY OUT a runout check. REFER to DRIVESHAFT RUNOUT AND BALANCING . CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE ANGLE MEASUREMENT . CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to HALFSHAFT for the front CV joints or HALFSHAFT for the rear CV joints.