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Gear noise from front end while driving

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2.6K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  rr4406pak  
#1 ·
Hey guys! So I've noticed a noise form my front end for the last 4 days...I scheduled a visit to the dealer on Monday, but they won't be able to take it in until Friday! So, I was just wondering if anyone has any insight on it. :question:

When I noticed it for the first time I had the radio on and kept looking in my blind spot for a ricer when trying to switch lanes. Nothing was there so I turned off my radio and realized it was my car :serious:.

Here's what I've observed:
-It's a hum/rumble
-It changes pitch with vehicle speed (engaged gear/neutral has no effect).
-Start to notice it at around 35mph and sometimes it will go away at 75mph+ (loudest between 60-70mph).
-When coasting/braking I can hear it/feel rumble down to about 20mph.
-No noticeable shaking in steering wheel.
-Alignment is perfectly straight.
-Raised the wheels off the ground and rotated by hand but didn't see/feel anything out of the ordinary.
-Then yesterday I got the bright idea to put my ear to the steering wheel...definitely heard a gear noise.

This morning I bought a stethoscope and took it for a drive...I was able to place my phone's mic on the earpiece and record the sound. It's a bit muffled from road noise, but it's there. This is the one that sounds the clearest 60mph on highway. Here's another, it's a little bit more muffled because of how I was holding the stethoscope longrecording-variousspeeds (speeds varied between 60-75mph).
 
#3 ·
On Darts, almost all strange noises or vibrations especially related to engine speed are caused by failing or failed motor mounts.
 
#5 ·
The engine is resting on metal instead of rubber. If you have more than 50,000 miles check the mounts. It has to be the most common almost universal problem.
 
#6 ·
How can you check the mounts? They are hard to see.

the Dart has 76,500 miles on it so this is most likely the issue. Now just have to determine which mount to change?

What do garages change to change the front big motor mount?