I'm about ready to say to hell with this car. I have a 96 Avenger ES (I've only had it 11 months). There had been a grinding noise comin from what sounded like the front....2 weeks ago my front driver side tire locked up. After getting towed home, getting parts from the dealership and other places, pulling everything apart, discovering that thepads were on wrong,replacing the front pads, and replacing the rear pads.....we finally got it put back together tonight. Anyway my husband took the car out for a spin and said that he still got the grinding noise and a "strong" pull (in the front) to the left but only while driving. He said the noise and the pull stop when braking. When everything was apart I did my best to check the front driver side caliper......it came out just fine when braking and I was able to compress it with a C clamp.The roderson the front lookedfine. Any ideas? I could really really use some help!!!!

 

Bad wheel bearing ???

 

Which would mean replacing the front hub.....lovely. What about the ball joint and control arm? I know there was a recall but I don't know what a bad joint sounds like.....if it makes any noise at all.

 

Grinding is normally brakes or bearings the ball joints are more klanking popping or rattlings....
If i n doubt it's a free recall take it in and have it checked

 

Ok called a Dodge dealership....they said that the recall was serviced in 2003. Shouldn't be the brakes because I just replaced the pads.......unless the caliper is getting hung up. The car isn't knocking.I can grab the rotor and jiggle it from side to side but not up and down....so a little play but not much (I threw a bearing in the rear and it had so much play in it). Should I just replace the calipers on the front and hope that solves the problem? My husband seems to think that they are the original ones to the car.

 

Front bearings have less play as the CVjoint axles tend to hold them ...If you pull the hubs the bearings can be rotated and see if they are bad

 

the recal is for the life of the car.

 

 

I appreciate all your help guys. Geez I've spent more on this car that I did on my wedding! Took her to the Dodge dealership to have a "professional" look at her. The mechanic called and said that the front driver side bearings were bad....also said that the front tie rods were bad. So $562 later my baby will be fixed and I can bring her home tomorrow....atleast until the next issue.

 

I've had to do hubs at a car show with minimal tools it's a very easy swap,I've never had to do tie rods ...