Bought a used 2009 Vibe, have problems with suspension/brake

[Bobomb]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but have owned a 2004 vibe since 2009. I was looking for a replacement for my wife when I found a 2009 vibe with 109,000 miles in my price range.

My old one has 130,000 and I owned it since 75,000 miles so I thought there wouldn't be much wrong with it. I was wrong unfortunately. I think the shocks and/or struts need to be replaced and the front rotor on the passenger side might be warped since it pulses to stop ( a lot worse on the highway). I got it for a steal so I'm not complaining and comes with a few rare options such as a trailer hitch, 2.4 liter engine, large premium rims and a tiptronic transmission. It was basically very well taken care of and used to drive to the original owners other home in Florida, sometimes used a trailer to bring stuff back (recently divorced).

Could you guys let me know what I should also check for? It passed a safety inspection with flying colors but I don't trust this dealer anymore since they over torqued my lug nuts on my 2004 when I bought a replacement tire and passed my other car which was a temporary fix until I got this vibe.

Sorry about the long message, I don't usually make posts.

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe Bob (an assumption there on your name) I can't help you out much as the two 2009 Vibe Gt's in our household still have relatively low mileage (16k on the Red one & 42k on the Blue one). Others here will read your post and hopefully help you out. Post pics & location when you get a chance

[Rayven01]

Welcome! I just recently bought a 2009 with similar miles (98000). On any vehicle with that many miles where you don't know the maintenance history I would at least drain and replace coolant and transmission fluid, replace spark plugs, oil & filter, air filter and cabin filter. The extra wear on yours is probably due to the towing, as my struts are still in great shape. Towing is hard on small vehicles. The owner's manual has special expedited maintenance items in the schedule for vehicles used to tow, you'll want to check all those.

[trb]

Oh and make sure you use Toyota products when you change fluids, not any of the GM stuff or what the owners manual says. Use Toyota ws trans fluid and Toyota coolant.

Shocks/struts/rotors would be expected to start wearing out with your miles on it, especially if driven hard at times.

Welcome and good luck with your new Vibe!

[Bobomb]

Welcome! I just recently bought a 2009 with similar miles (98000). On any vehicle with that many miles where you don't know the maintenance history I would at least drain and replace coolant and transmission fluid, replace spark plugs, oil & filter, air filter and cabin filter. The extra wear on yours is probably due to the towing, as my struts are still in great shape. Towing is hard on small vehicles. The owner's manual has special expedited maintenance items in the schedule for vehicles used to tow, you'll want to check all those.

Thanks for the tips guys, I forgot to mention that the spark plugs, air filter, rotors, tires and brake pads were replaced at 90,000 miles by the original owner, however I think the shop he had rotate his tires torqued them down too tightly at one point (warped front right rotor). Checked the brake fluid and it looks clear and full, the transmission fluid is slightly dirty but still red but I'll change it soon after I fix the suspension problem that causes a slightly rocky ride in comparison to my 2004 vibe with Michelin harmony tires, and shocks/struts. That's why I thought that it could possibly be the tires (eagle rsa's with around 20,000 miles on them).

So far, no downloadable service manual or guides for changing brakes/suspension on a 2009 vibe.

[Rayven01]

So far, no downloadable service manual or guides for changing brakes/suspension on a 2009 vibe.

I'd recommend checking matrixowners.com as well for a guide for an 09/10 Matrix which should be the same. If you don't find one you could subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com for a couple days for $15 and download the service manual parts you need from the Matrix service manual. I find that it's often better than the GM manual anyway. There is a GM service manual pdf download floating around online but it costs money and is pretty crappy. The really expensive option is helminc.com where you can buy the paper Vibe service manual for $200.

[Bobomb]

Also, I'm from St. Louis, Mo.

Here's my vibe:

[Bobomb]

So far, no downloadable service manual or guides for changing brakes/suspension on a 2009 vibe.

I'd recommend checking matrixowners.com as well for a guide for an 09/10 Matrix which should be the same. If you don't find one you could subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com for a couple days for $15 and download the service manual parts you need from the Matrix service manual. I find that it's often better than the GM manual anyway. There is a GM service manual pdf download floating around online but it costs money and is pretty crappy. The really expensive option is helminc.com where you can buy the paper Vibe service manual for $200.

Thanks a lot! I'll try to find it tomorrow.

[tpollauf]

Nice BLACK 09 with tint & the 2.4L engine & 17" alloys Give me a day or two and I'll go through my Helm manuals (yeah I have the set and bought them when they were a bargain @ $150.00 some three years ago ) If it is not too many pages, I'll scan them and e-mail them to you.

[Bobomb]

Nice BLACK 09 with tint & the 2.4L engine & 17" alloys Give me a day or two and I'll go through my Helm manuals (yeah I have the set and bought them when they were a bargain @ $150.00 some three years ago ) If it is not too many pages, I'll scan them and e-mail them to you.

I'd really appreciate that, thank you so much! I also lucked out on a premium sound system (I think, sounds a lot better than the one in my 2004, more bass and overall louder/fuller sound). Also, what are your guys thoughts on Raysbestos Professional grade rotors and akebono brake pads? Thought about replacing all four since the price is right and I'll probably need to replace the rears since they will probably need to be replaced anyway in the next 10,000 miles.

Would you recommend oem parts for struts/shocks replacement? I'm checking a mechanics diagnosis this weekend for exact parts needing to be replaced.

[Rayven01]

Also, I'm from St. Louis, Mo.

Cool! What neighborhood? I'm just south of the county in Arnold and work in Clayton. Nice looking Vibe, I'm jealous of the wheels.

[Bobomb]

Also, I'm from St. Louis, Mo.

Cool! What neighborhood? I'm just south of the county in Arnold and work in Clayton. Nice looking Vibe, I'm jealous of the wheels.

Thats pretty close to me, I'm in St. Charles county and drive up to Clayton for work often.

[vibenvy]

I don't really have any advice on replacement parts, etc. as our 2009 GTs only have ~38,000 miles on them, but I just wanted to welcome you to GenVibe and comment on how sleek your Vibe looks with the 17s and tint. Best of luck getting the replacement stuff done on your "new" Vibe. Also, post some pictures of your 2004 Vibe when you get a chance !

[tpollauf]

Hey there Bob. Look over the index pages here and let me know what you'd like to see. Then I'll scan them in PDF format and e-mail them to you directly. Provide me with an e-mail address so you can get them. I'll do this over the weekend and then you can start tearing into these repairs Always willing to help out a fellow GenViber

[Bobomb]

Hey there Bob. Look over the index pages here and let me know what you'd like to see. Then I'll scan them in PDF format and e-mail them to you directly. Provide me with an e-mail address so you can get them. I'll do this over the weekend and then you can start tearing into these repairs Always willing to help out a fellow GenViber

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help, I wish I could repay you. If I can (and do a good job), I may make a step-by-step tutorial for other members. No promises but I would also like to give back.

[Bobomb]

Also, I'll post pics of the 2004 (red with sport package and moonroof) shortly after I get it washed tomorrow. May take awhile, weather is getting good outside so I may take my motorcycle to work.

I don't know if anyone else on the forum has done it yet but the 2004 has never had anything but full synthetic since it was bought new and always had the maf cleaned regularly. I averaged 35mpg on a trip from St. Louis to Joplin and back (sometimes going 80).

[tpollauf]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help, I wish I could repay you.

Hmmmmmmmmm .......................... If you can make it to the GenVibe summer meet in Pontiac Ill. you could buy me the first beer

[Bobomb]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help, I wish I could repay you.

Hmmmmmmmmm .......................... If you can make it to the GenVibe summer meet in Pontiac Ill. you could buy me the first beer

Lol, I'll see if I can. Here is my 2004 vibe:

[Rayven01]

I'm usually not a fan of red cars but I do love that shade.

[vibenvy]

I'm usually not a fan of red cars but I do love that shade.

Same here!

[Kincaid]

Also, what are your guys thoughts on Raysbestos Professional grade rotors and akebono brake pads? Thought about replacing all four since the price is right and I'll probably need to replace the rears since they will probably need to be replaced anyway in the next 10,000 miles.

Would you recommend oem parts for struts/shocks replacement? I'm checking a mechanics diagnosis this weekend for exact parts needing to be replaced.

Very possible you have now made these changes, but those choices for rotors and pads should work just great. The only thing I worry about with rotors is to use a respected brand name (no-name cheap rotors on a Civic warped on me even when properly torqued) and that the usual parts that rust are coated so they won't rust.

Rather than OEM for shocks, I'd recommend Tokico Blues. And of course, I always recommend lowering the car with Tein H-Techs for a nice drop.