Front suspension problems???

[Stang2Vibe]

Has anyone else had strange noises coming from the front suspension? About a week after buying my Vibe, it started creeking when turning the wheel at low speeds. Now it makes creeking/grinding/popping noises when the car is running and I turn the wheel, when turning and beginning a descent, and when I use moderate or harder braking as the weight of the car shifts foreward and back again as I stop/slow down. It is getting worse and worse. It almost sounds like a loose tie rod end or something, yet alignment and steering are not a problem. Just wondering if anyone else had this problem before I have to start the service appointment crap with the dealer. This is really terrible for a brand new car.

[NSimkins]

quote:Has anyone else had strange noises coming from the front suspension?I haven't, and have not read about this problem anywhere else, either here or other forums.quote:Just wondering if anyone else had this problem before I have to start the service appointment crap with the dealer.It could be something faulty as you mentioned, and I would assume you checked to make sure it was nothing moving around in the glove box, etc.? quote:This is really terrible for a brand new car.I'd take it in to get checked out. Make sure if you can consistently recreate the problem, DRIVE A TECHNICIAN (or someone from Service) and show them firsthand how to recreate the noise and what it sounds like in your Vibe. That way they can't just say "We couldn't recreate the problem, sorry".As it being brand new.. unfortunately not every part is created equal. Hopefully in your case it's something fixable and should not reoccur again.OT: My '01 Cavalier Z-24 had the same problems as you are describing. They replaced just about every suspension component on my vehicle, but it would come back after 2 days. In and out of service for 4-6 months with a final word saying "It's normal, there's nothing further we can do". Apparently most Z's (95+) do this.. according to NHTSA's compaints database. That's the type of service I guess I had to expect from an over-abundant, over-due vehicle (hence why I now have a Vibe). I didn't care what GM told me, any new vehicle should not make these noises.My ranting over... final word, get it checked out.

[Vibe]

Get that car to the service dept NOW!!!!!!!!! Something is loose or not tightened,believe me --I know-- I work for Cadillac Motor Car here in Detroit and cars have been known to leave with a loose suspension part. Remember---- Humans build these cars and YES-- WE DO MAKE MISTAKES.............

[MA-VIBE-FAN]

quote:Has anyone else had strange noises coming from the front suspension? About a week after buying my Vibe, it started creeking when turning the wheel at low speeds. Now it makes creeking/grinding/popping noises when the car is running and I turn the wheel, when turning and beginning a descent, and when I use moderate or harder braking as the weight of the car shifts foreward and back again as I stop/slow down. It is getting worse and worse. It almost sounds like a loose tie rod end or something, yet alignment and steering are not a problem. Just wondering if anyone else had this problem before I have to start the service appointment crap with the dealer. This is really terrible for a brand new car.Maybe a noise from the front struts where they contact the body. Requires some additional sound deadening material. The dealer should have the info to fix.

[Stang2Vibe]

It definately sounds like a loose suspension component. I'm pretty handy with cars, but I'm no master mechanic. I know enough that there is something loose up there. Guess I'll have to find a volunteer to turn the steering wheel while I look around undernieth the front end so I can tell them what to fix so it doesn't take them 6 months to fix it. I have the Easy Care 5 year extended warranty so part of the warranty contract states that if they have to keep my car for more than 2 hours they MUST give me a loner car to use. Looks like I'll be going in for service real soon.

[Vibe Rater]

Maybe have it towed to the dealer.

[Stang2Vibe]

I've driven it a few hundred miles after I first started noticing the noises, sometimes at rather high speeds. No problems so far other than the noise. It seems to drive and handle fine, just that darn noise all the time. I am going to have it checked out and I'll let you all know what it is, but I think having it towed is a bit drastic at this point. I'm still driving it daily and need a car every day, like I said, I have the 2 hour stipulation in the warranty contract so I guess I should exercise it and let you know how that works out too. I would just hate to have a crappy ugly Sunfire loaner car while mine is in the shop. I tend to be abusive toward rental cars if I hate them. I can tell you that a 2001 Taurus SES does some decent pegleg neutral drops and makes some neat clicking and clunking noises when you shift to reverse or park at 30 mph, he, he, he!