GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Today when I was making a U-turn with my vibe, I heard and felt a grinding around where the front wheels are. Does anyone have any idea what may be wrong with my car?Thanks

Did you have the wheel cranked all the way to the left (or right)? Did you try to turn the wheel further then it will go? What gear were you in?

Thats funny, I noticed a similar symptom today. After I put my rims back on, every time im going below 20 or turning I hear and feel a rotational grinding.

Could be so many things.Are your wheels stock?If not, are they the proper size and offset?Are your wheels TIGHT?Are your wheel bearings wearing?When making any turn you are exerting an amazing amount of centrifugal force upon the front end. For instance, if you are turning Right, all of the rolling components and front end is being pulled to the left. This shifts how the brake pads rub against the brake rotor and can make a rubbing noise. This also puts a lot of force upon a marginal wheel bearing and they make noises, noises vary depending upon the degree of wear.If your wheels aren't correctly sized, you should be able to see rubbing signs on the inside of the rims.Is you steering stop properly adjusted? Ever been in an accident involving front end repairs? IT may not have been reassembled and adjusted correctly.Dave

and the #1 thing you should check on these cars when you have wheel noise (I know, I own two) is:make sure those stupid black push pins have not dislodged, allowing your wheel well liner to shift. When turning, the tire rubs on the plastic. I not only have 5 zip ties underneath my 03, I now am substituting the plastic push pins on my 09 with large red plastic wall anchors. You can hammer them in place and keep the plastic apron much tighter to the metal it is anchored to. That's today's hint from Heloise

Also check the CV boots as well

Well, after much pondering, I believe that my issue is my tires. Time for a new set this spring.

Gringding from old worn tires? Grinding noises usually come from some kind of contact between the tire and the wheel well liner or some other bit. Wheel bearings that go bad can make gruesome grinding type of noises. Not sure how a worn tire will grind by itself.

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »Gringding from old worn tires? Grinding noises usually come from some kind of contact between the tire and the wheel well liner or some other bit. Wheel bearings that go bad can make gruesome grinding type of noises. Not sure how a worn tire will grind by itself. Steel belts hanging out and rubbing each other or the road on a corner????

Not sure if steel belts hanging out would grind or jingle?

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »Not sure if steel belts hanging out would grind or gingle?I don't know, the last set of "MayPops" I ran were when I was still a poor kid back in the 70's and they were rayon/nylon something or other bias ply.Steel belted radials were still the newest most expensive technology out there!Dave

I guess "grinding" is not the appropriate description of the noise. But trust me people, its the tires. They are awful, definitely time for a new set.

Hmm.. My tires are stock and when I made the U-turn, my wheels was cranked all the way to the left. I should probably mention that I drive a 09 Vibe and it is automatic. It weird. I only had the car for about 8 months.

i have this same sort of sound that your hearing. recently on the way home from work in the dark i hit a large water puddle...well it was more like a lake on the road, didnt see it ended up hitting the water full speed on my passanger side.now if i make to sharp of a turn my right side fron wheel is makeing some sort of a grinding noise!

Quote, originally posted by oriden »i have this same sort of sound that your hearing. recently on the way home from work in the dark i hit a large water puddle...well it was more like a lake on the road, didnt see it ended up hitting the water full speed on my passanger side.now if i make to sharp of a turn my right side fron wheel is makeing some sort of a grinding noise!Ok, you didn't see the lake on the road. I can see how that can happen, I guess, if you had your lights off or misaligned or you blinked at the wrong time or you left your sunglasses on after dark? But it's not good to hear any grinding when you turn the wheels. Has got to be...1) something contacting the tire at full lock.2) bearings going bad.3) power steering against the bump stops at full lock, makes noise... but still should not be grinding noise. If you turn the wheel all the way to the left (or right) against where it stops and then turn the wheel back the oposite way a tiny bit, it should quiet down, if this is the source of the noise.Anyone have any other ideas on what could cause grinding noises in a turn???

Sonds like the plastic wheel well has moved a little and is making good friends with your tire!