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[toovibes]

Hi, Thanks for let me join. We have two 1st gen Vibes, both automatics. Just found out the latest one has a bent rear axle beam. The previous owner said it was his mom's car and had been side swiped-drivers side. Everything appeared fixed and it seems to drive OK but we noticed bad weird rear tire wear-inner edge on both. Now the question in my parts search-how much compatibility between the Vibe and Matrix? It is a base model, FWD Vibe. I plan to replace the whole rear axle beam assembly-brakes and all. It get new struts and bushings. There are alot more Matrix cars available for parts. Also, this is 2005 Vibe, is 2003-07 the range for parts? The previous owner's mom used this as a work vehicle around her place, <90k miles so it's worth the repair. Thanks.

[Bookworm]

Vibe and Matrix, FWD, are pretty much interchangeable below the skin. You're looking at 2003-2008 for compatibility. The 2009 and 2010 aren't as good, because the rear glass doesn't open independently .

[toovibes]

Thanks for the info Bookworm. I thought 03-07 but figured best to ask those owning the cars. We're in Sacramento area, fair amount of salvage yards to check. The axle replacement looks straight forward, will need aligned/shimmed afterwards.

[Bookworm]

Thanks for the info Bookworm. I thought 03-07 but figured best to ask those owning the cars. We're in Sacramento area, fair amount of salvage yards to check. The axle replacement looks straight forward, will need aligned/shimmed afterwards.

I've never had to replace an axle, so I haven't a clue as to how easy or hard it might be. There are several folks here who have replaced rear ends, but I think most of those were AWD.

[tpollauf]

Welcome to GenVibe. And a "two Vibe " owner at that You'll find a lot of us here are multiple Vibe owners! Seeing how you're in a part of the country that does NOT salt/brine the roads, your undercarriage on the Vibe should be fairly solid (rust free) to where wrenching off old parts for newer ones should be a breeze. Post pics of Vibes and keep us in the loop of things when repairs are made. We ALL benefit from it

[zbyers]

www.car-part.com

Use that site to search the yards near you. I have no clue how difficult the solid axle beam would be to replace. I would imagine it would be a little easier than the AWD subframe which can be a PITA (that whole rust thing)