GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello!I got my Vibe used last April and everything is working very well (fixed 2 minor things which were posted in the INTERIOR section of this forum), but I have a bigger issue that is stressing me out...I had my cousins inspect the car even if it already passed inspection upon purchase and everything is almost looking new.But I always hear this soft rattle from the front end. It doesn't do it when driving on a flat surface, but I think at a certain speed, I can hear a very low clic from time to time.But most of the sound/rattle is happening when the suspension is working, on messed up streets full of cracks and holes. It's not like metal to metal knocks, it's very soft... the sound isn't dramatic, but it's there.My cousins had the car raised on their garage car lift and checked the suspension arms and they told me everything was in good condition. I told them about the problem and they quickly checked everything in the direction/suspension area, and they found nothing: instead, we isolated a potential problem which was a plastic trim under the bumper, we thougt this was knocking on the frame. We also found 1 or 2 rocks stuck in the bumper and removed them. (We didn't took the car for a ride because we were on a family diner).But after this, the soft rattle is still present.I don't know if anyone around here had a similar problem and if this problem is known/common... but I would like your input on this if you have any idea.I will try and get my cousins to have a drive with me and see the problem with their own ears, but in the meantime, I would like some hints if possible.I know it's hard to diag a rattle problem without actually hearing it, but I'm taking a chance, maybe someone had a similar problem!Thanks a lot for any input!

i have a similar issue. a "rattle" from the front end, but only under certain conditions-usually slow driving, over small-medium sized bumps-not huge potholes or railroad tracks. i need to bring mine in to have it looked at. personally, i suspect something in the strut tower or steering column.

I was also suspecting the steering column... if I stand still and wiggle the steering fast from left to right by pinching with two fingers at the bottom of the steering wheel, I can hear the same soft KLOCK sound... This sound becomes more obvious when driving though, with little bumps. But it still does it when driving fast (let say 90km/h) on country roads. When I am on the highway (100->120km/h), the road is flat and won't do the sound.Maybe a ball joint/tie rod?I just hope it's easily repairable and low cost... because the problem was present when I bought the car (used) but the warranty was 30 days and I didn't bothered at the time.Keep me updated and I will also as I get infos... I'll try to lock someone up to look at this with me...

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=42823This sounds similar to what several of us are hearing in the steering column area.

before you proceed, Please go to a wand wash and spray down your under carriage areas, make sure no rocks no dirt no stone no gravel..you could try spray silicone at the sway bar bushing areas . but if sway bar is making noise, it usually occurs when slowly driving on speed bump making knocking noise ( loud clunk, clunk..)..The other two areas:1) is the the tie rods that link your steering rack to the hub. You could lift the car up, sitting in the driver sit and someone joist the wheel from side to side and see if there is any play at the tie rod2) steering shaft yoke

Thanks for your inputs guys! This will give me ideas about what to look for when I'll get it lifted at my cousin's!Thanks!

Alex, btw, normally, do you over inflated the front tire a little bit? like 37 psi in cold?

Oh boy, sorry I never came back to the thread! I am now looking back at my threads and noticed there was a question!Well, just in case "cq358" reads it back: NO, I never overinflate my tires. Summer like winter, I put in 32 PSI.Can I ask WHY?

Quote, originally posted by alex_nrv »Oh boy, sorry I never came back to the thread! I am now looking back at my threads and noticed there was a question!Well, just in case "cq358" reads it back: NO, I never overinflate my tires. Summer like winter, I put in 32 PSI.Can I ask WHY? just an fyi-i had my steering column replaced and it fixed my problems. there are several other threads going on the topic.

Quote, originally posted by Zimm »just an fyi-i had my steering column replaced and it fixed my problems. there are several other threads going on the topic.Was you rattle a "deaf rattle coming from around the front-left side"?If the steering column is the problem I have, do you know if it's a hazard or if it's simply annoying?Also, was it under warranty or you actually paid for it? It must cost an arm to replace this...

Quote, originally posted by alex_nrv »Was you rattle a "deaf rattle coming from around the front-left side"?If the steering column is the problem I have, do you know if it's a hazard or if it's simply annoying?Also, was it under warranty or you actually paid for it? It must cost an arm to replace this...yep. it happened all the time, but was worst at low speeds with small bumps. even when at a stop, i could swing my steering wheel right to left with at least a half inch of play in either direction, and it would make that clunking sound. i'm assuming it's not a safety hazard, unless you consider unresponsive steering to be a hazard-which i guess it is. i had it replaced under warranty, so i have no idea what the cost was. my car drives amazingly better than it did with the bad column.

I'll check if there's any loose in the steering column. I remember trying to make the noise happen by quickly wiggling the steering wheel left and right and I think it did, but the car was actually responding. I'll check if the wheels are responsive to 1/2" movements from the steering wheel, but I'm pretty sure it is.Thanks for the update!

Well, I just tried wiggling the steering wheel in the parking, and any slight movements to the steering wheel are directly transfered to the wheels, so the response is immediate. But there's definitely a little sound coming out when I wiggle the wheels about 1"... But I'm not gonna be paranoid with this, it's still mechanical parts moving...