I have a 2001 Dodge Stratus SE sedan and for the past year it has been making a low pitched sqeal from the front end. Could it be the bearing or CV joint? Any other ideas let me know because dealer could not find.

 

is it a coupe? what engine?

 

its a sedan with 2.7 V6. I forgot to mention that it does not start to make a noise until over 30 mph.

 

hmm...i do not know about squeaks in the sedans, but i know ALL about them in the coupe...[:@]

thump186 should be able to help with your problem though!

 

Could be one of the axle shaft seals at the transmission, or one of the front wheel bearing seals (would have to replace the hubs). Jack both front wheels off of the ground and run the car above 30mph and see if you can reduplicate it that way.

 

Thanks for info. I forgot to add in orginal post that the noise does not occur everytime when over 30mph. It usual occurs atleast everytime you take car for a ride and kicks in over 30mph.

 

I had the exact same thing with my car. I have the 2001 ES Sedan 2.7 V6. I never did figure out what it was, but I had my right front wheel bearing replaced last summer and I haven't heard it since. Hopefully this helps.

 

Thanks for your help. I will have to have it replaced and hopefully it will fix the problem.

 

My girlfriend drives a 96 Stratus sedan 2.4L auto and recently she has been complaining about a front end noise. Upon taking it for a drive it sounds similar to what you had going on; groaning type noise.

Above 30 or so it becomes audible and increases in volume and speed with vehicle speed. Engine RPM and transmission gear have no effect on it. However, if I turn the wheel slightly right it changes pitch. Turning left and going straight sound very similar, but if I go a little right it changes.

I'm thinking it is the left wheel bearing, but unsure. How could I visually inspect it?

Car has 104K on it, and has no disappointed either of us at all yet. I recently replaced the left outer tie-rod end due to a TON of play but I consider that normal for this age vehicle.

Thanks in advance for any help! I've had great luck with online advice on my 02 Dakota and hope for the same with this car.

 

Yes, it is probably one of your front wheel bearings. My 2000 Stratus SE (2.4L, auto) is in the shop now for this repair. The noise is more of a low growl/roar than a squeal. At least on my car, it is. It started last summer and was intermittent (as someone noted earlier). Over the ensuing months, it has become constant for any speed over 20-25 mph. That's why I finally took it to the shop. My car has nearly 96K miles on it, so looks like yours is in a similar age range for this failure.