GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey all....recently started getting grinding noises, mostly front driver side. Thinking brake pads?? Noise is not always there when brakes are applied. Single mother with VERY limited income so any info would help...THANKS!

if the noise is isn't there all the time i would say it could any number of thingsbut first how many miles are on the car?have you kept up with changing the oil, trans, fluids?when was the last time you had the brakes changed?Could be a hub, cv joint, ectthe more history on the cars maintence you can give the better

Thanks for the response. It's got 73000 miles on it...always kept up with oil, etc. Not sure if the brakes have been redone. My ex-husband always kept up with taking care of things. I will find our from him. I am just worried that my brakes are gonna give, or my tire fall off and I have a 5 year old riding with me. Like I said, money is very tight, and I kinda want an idea of what I am up against. Thank you!

Ex hubby says he went through the paperwork and it doesn't look like any brake work or new pads.

How long has the noise been there? few days, few weeks, month?well it could in fact be the brakes causing the problem. Any good shop should inspect it for you at no charge. Should only take about 5mins to pull the tire and check the brakes.If it is only there when the brakes are applied then yea i would have to say that 75% sure that is what is your problem.Now IF the grinding is metal on metal your looking at a large bill. Because the lining on the pad is gone and the pad is now hitting the rotor. If your lucky it's just the warning sensor that all pads have that hit the rotor when the pad gets low to give you a chance to change out the brakes before you need to replace the rotors as well.Get it looked as RIGHT away.You shouldn't have to worry about losing your brakes if it's only been a few days since the noise has started.Now as for price on a brake job, that depends on where you go. If you go to the stealership your going to pay threw the nose for it.I would suggest a good trusted person. A basic front brake job where the pads are replaced and the rotor resurfaced you looking at about 70-130bucks. If your in need of a rotor as well because your metal on metal your in for a big bill of about 170-250 for a front brake jobNow if you lived near me LOL i would pop them on in under an hr and charge ya parts to the tune of about 100bucks including new rotors.but sadly i don't so your going to have to go else were

Grinding noise just started a few days ago. Thanks for all your help Keith...I am gonna try and get it in this week. My friends' husband is pretty good with cars so i am gonna check into that as well. You helped a lot!!!