Pinpoint Tests AE: Front End Noise - During Acceleration (Tip-In) Or Deceleration (Tip-Out)
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, 2021 Lincoln Aviator, 2021 Ford Transit-350 HD, 2021 Ford Transit-350, and 2021 Ford Transit-250. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- AE1: FRONT END NOISE EVALUATION
- Test drive the vehicle, determine if the noise occurs only during braking or if the noise occurs during braking, acceleration and deceleration.
- Does the noise ONLY occur during vehicle braking?
Yes No REFER to the Brake System - General Information article to diagnose the braking system. Go to AE2. - AE2: SERVICE BAY ACTIVE UNDER HOOD FRONT END NOISE INSPECTION NOTE: Noise sources can be identified by stethoscope or hands-on during vehicle rocking. Tip-in and tip-out noises are not usually steering gear related.
- Prepare the vehicle for testing in a quiet area on level ground.
- Steer the front wheels into the straight-ahead position.
- Shift the transmission into PARK (automatic transmission) or THIRD (manual transmission).
- Shut the engine off.
- Release the parking brake.
- Open the hood.
- Rock the vehicle backwards and forwards by pushing on the front bumper and attempt to locate the source of the noise.
- Rocking the vehicle causes the engine mounts to flex, resulting in the movement of several components.
- Possible noise sources could be, but are not limited to:
- Steering column shaft slip joint
- Transmission or engine mounts
- Roll restrictor
- Subframe mounts
- Axle shafts or halfshafts
- Drive shafts
- All coolant tubes, air conditioning tubes and wiring harnesses
- Exhaust hangars and other related exhaust components
- Was the noise identified and located during this test?
Yes No REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. Go to AE3. - Prepare the vehicle for testing in a quiet area on level ground.
- AE3: VISUAL INSPECTION FOR FRONT END NOISE SOURCE
- With the transmission in NEUTRAL, position the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to the Jacking And Lifting article.
- Using a strong light source, visually inspect the following components for a potential concern (loose, damaged, worn, broken):
- Engine mounts
- Transmission mounts
- Roll restrictors
- Exhaust heat shield (tinny rattle)
- Steering gear heat shield
- Exhaust isolators and bracket
- Steering column shaft slip joints (dry condition)
- Subframe mounts
- Engine to chassis wiring, tubes or brackets (loose or out of position)
- Halfshafts (FWD)
- Drive shafts (RWD)
- Mid-shaft bearing (if equipped)
- Are all of the listed components OK?
Yes No Components may pass a visual inspection but could still be making internal noises. Noise may only be identified during a test drive. REFER to the list of components in the pinpoint test step and, using a Chassis Ears or similar tool, pinpoint the noise source. For additional NVH information, REFER to the Noise, Vibration And Harshness article. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.