the front link pins?

[eiffingeri]

Hi,

I am a new owner of a 2003 vibe base. My vibe just passed her 100,000 m and the mechanic told something need to replace. I just serf some websites and videos but still have a couple of questions.
1. the serpentine belt need to be replaced. I has bought an belt from Autozone...just want to make sure the SIZE of tentionner screw. I need to buy a long and thin screw driver since the space is small.
2. What is "front link pins?" I guess it is the sway bar link but not very sure. Anyone have suggest any brand? someone suggest Energy Suspension in other forum but I can't find the suitable part number for 2003 vibe. The best I can find is Moog K80230 (~$40 on ebay), but I am not sure it is a pair or only one (the unit shows a BOX)
3. the tires need to be replaced. Any suggestion for good control in wet season (I am in OH and just got the first snow this winter). The mechanic suggest Multimile Matrix 205/55SR16 for $360 (include labor) add alignment for $60. Does the tire good? the price acceptable? and does replace tires add the alignment normal?

Sorry for so many questions and thanks for any reply.

[Caretaker]

Welcome aboard our floating asylum.

For tires, just go to tirerack.com and do all your research there. You can chose the best tire that fits in your budget. If you have lots of bucks, and as much as I try to find something better to replace mine, the Michelin MXV4 are an excellent tire. I have had them for years, and although I don't much like the hydroplaning, I still cannot find a better tire out there. If you are on a budget, as am I now that I'm retired, the Hankook H727 are also excellent. I have them on my other car. They are priced around $75 each and are a great value. But again, go on to tirerack and do your own research. Your answer lies there.
If you live in the upper snowy part of Ohio, then I recommend snow tires. The very expensive Michelins do fine in occasional snow, but in the end, there is no substitute for snow tires when snow is a weekly or every other week visitor to your town and roads.

[eiffingeri]

Caretaker,

Thanks for your rapid reply.
Yes, I am in budget since I am still a student and I live at Toledo, the northest in OH. In fact, my wife use the vibe most of the time. She drives to her university for about 90 miles everyday (around 80 mile highway). She just start drive from last semester, therefore I am a little worry about her drive in winter although most of the way are highway that the snow would be clean immediately after the snow.
I just simply surf the price of Hankook H727. It seems the lowest price is more than $10x (average around 11x-12x). Where do you find the price $75?
I will check the tirerack and come back later.

Thanks a lot

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe Finally another member from my hometown PM me direct and I can hook you up with some shops to patronize on any repairs you may need. Especially if you are a student at the University of Toledo. Again WELCOME

[eiffingeri]

Hi Tpollauf,

so good to know another from the same city. However, I am not authorised to send PM yet. need more participate ^^
I think you can send me a message, right? Thanks a lot for giving information.

[lannvouivre]

They want to do an alignment when replacing the tires because proper tire alignment prevents irregular/excessive wear. $60 for an alignment sounds good to me.

As far as whether link pins refers to sway bar links, I have no idea. I took a steering and suspension class and I don't remember ever hearing that term used.

Also, I'm pretty sure that the sway bar links only come in packages of one, which is why I still haven't replaced mine.

[eiffingeri]

jut find the answer of my first question. It is 15mm screw driver.

Why I ask about the alignment is that I never did that when I replace my tires in the past ten years. I am not sure if it necessary.
I just checked my front sway bar links, They both looks good. Anyone know how to evaluate if they need to replace?
My vibe have some repeated clunk like "co-co-co-co" at right front wheel about two-three month ago, especially when I brake or turn left. However, It dissapeared after about one month. Now it is no clunk anymore. The only problem is that my wife said the car would shift when she turn. If the problem is on the sway bar link. I'd like to buy a pair of Moog parts from ebay and replace them by myself even it costs $80. The mechanic ask $160 to replace them (don't know the brand of parts).

[Caretaker]

My apologies. The quote was for 15 inch tires on my Hyundai which is a 15 inch tire (thank goodness). If you have the 205-55-16's, this was the best quote I could find on the Hankooks before shipping:

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?d ... icegrabber" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for the alignment, $60 is very good. I normally have to wait for a dealer to come out with a special coupon to even come close to that price. If you do not get an alignment once a year, and have not had one in "quite a while," then I think you should take advantage of that price in order to save the many hundreds of dollars you will be investing in tires.
Aside from the local help some members have offered you for getting tires, my only advice on bottom dollar value is to get your tires at BJs or Costco or some other wholesale club. Do you have anyone in your family that is a member that could get tires on the car for you? The wholesale clubs offer free rotation for life and fill the tires with nitrogen and fix flats for free. If the tire is damaged beyond repair, they give you a new one, prorated off of the mileage you had on the damaged tire.
Sorry again for the misleading price on the H727s.

[bluneon]

you check front sway bar links w both hands. one hand on one end of the sway bar and the other on the other end. push and pull up and down on the sway bar end one at a time. if you feel movement then the 'pins' are worn out and need to be replaced. they need to be replaced as a set.

they are really easy to replace, assuming you have the proper tools. otherwise the pin will spin on you when you try to remove the nut.

[eiffingeri]

correct my previous answer.
I bought a 15mm wrench but it is too small for the tensioner screw. I found another website said it is 17mm. I will try and see if it is fit.

I finally decide to change my tires for Michelin Defender. It is a new tire but seems good dry/wet control and long-life although it is expensive. I will do it in a couple of days.

I will check the sway bar link later. ^^ thanks bluneon.

[eiffingeri]

Hi evertone,

just update the condition.

I has order the Michelin Defender and will change the tires on Wed or Thur. I will update after I use them for a period.

For the serpentine belt, I bought a 12-point 17mm-19mm wrench. The 17mm seems work but has a little big. It seems 6-point 17mm wrench is good? I asked in another discussion(viewtopic.php?f=28&t=29180" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), and sideshowalan said it should be "19mm."
It seems I loose a wrong bolt? See the picture in 5th reply. The bolt I tried to loose is the one below the yellow circled one. Um....
Here is another discussion about the length of the belt. (viewtopic.php?t=22569" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) Not sure what size of the belt I got. (I just went to Advance Auto Parts and ask the one fits 2003 Vibe and get Dayco Poly-Rib belt) I will check it after I go back home.

For the sway bar links. I checked both sites. I was surprised that the right site seems good (since I have clunk on right front), however, the left front pin is deformed. I order a pair of sway bar links and will replace them after they arrives. I check the size of the bolts. They are 17mm. Any special tools for this?

[CharlesinGA]

jut find the answer of my first question. It is 15mm screw driver.

Why I ask about the alignment is that I never did that when I replace my tires in the past ten years. I am not sure if it necessary.
I just checked my front sway bar links, They both looks good. Anyone know how to evaluate if they need to replace?
My vibe have some repeated clunk like "co-co-co-co" at right front wheel about two-three month ago, especially when I brake or turn left. However, It dissapeared after about one month. Now it is no clunk anymore. The only problem is that my wife said the car would shift when she turn. If the problem is on the sway bar link. I'd like to buy a pair of Moog parts from ebay and replace them by myself even it costs $80. The mechanic ask $160 to replace them (don't know the brand of parts).

I'm willing to bet the upper bearing for the strut is worn or loose. I'm starting to hear noises when I go thru a parking lot that has checkered or irregular asphalt, or parking lot speedbumps or gravel drives, and I'm suspecting the top of the strut (RH).

Charles