GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was active on this group a few years ago and just found it again. My 06 AWD just rolled over 180,000 miles. Tire rotation and oil change every 5,000, car wash every season, wax every year or two. Only maintenance beside that, tires, brakes, and belts has been two rear wheel bearings (one at 80k miles, one at twice that), radiator flush, transmission and differential fluid changes. Only warranty repair was to the dash lights. Still can get over 30 mpg highway. Even though I'm in the rustbelt and don't wash it much I have no rust and even the underbody is good. I can fit a kitchen stove in back with the seats down! Best daily driver I've ever had.

I'm getting a road speed dependent low pitch whine starting around 40 to 45 mph. Any hints? I am shooting for 250,000 miles and want to nip any maintenance issues in the bud if i can.

re: low pitch whining

Sounds like another wheel bearing.
Try lightly swerving left and right to shift the weight next time you hear it. The bad bearing will howl when you put the weight on it.

Welcome back!!! I'll agree with the bearing being bad.

Perhaps we'll see you in Erie for the meet on the 7th of July?

Welcome back to the fold

+1 on the front wheel bearing. Like sideshow said, go left and right and see where the howl comes from. Don't wait too long, the noise can become unbearable. Taking mine to the shop today to do just that. Bearing and new shoes for the whip.

Welcome back! Glad to hear of yet another owner with higher mileage and no major issues!

VinnytheVibe wrote:I was active on this group a few years ago and just found it again

What did your username used to be?

VinnytheVibe wrote: I'm getting a road speed dependent low pitch whine starting around 40 to 45 mph. Any hints? I am shooting for 250,000 miles and want to nip any maintenance issues in the bud if i can.

how old are the tires and do you rotate them regularly? I had a set of tires I neglected to rotate, the right rear got cupped and made a low whine kind of sound when I got it up to speed.

Welcome back. That's great it has no rust, especially being in Oh. Glad to hear from another Oh native

Thanks for the responses! I take my 70 Rioad Runner to meets, never attended a Vibe function. I was Vinny the Vibe, had to change because now you can't have spaces in your username. I replaced both rear wheel bearings and used the turn left or right trick to decide which one, but this noise is the same straight or in turns. The tires have maybe 15k miles on them and are rotated every 5k miles. It's not tire noise. Hope it isn't the rear differential

VinnytheVibe wrote:... I replaced both rear wheel bearings and used the turn left or right trick to decide which one, but this noise is the same straight or in turns. The tires have maybe 15k miles on them and are rotated every 5k miles. It's not tire noise. Hope it isn't the rear differential

Definitely shouldn't be the tires then... Did you have the front bearings checked? My right front was shot. The balls basiclally got worn down...

If the noise is really bad, you should be able to put the car on the lift, and just hand spin the tires. Should start to hear it then.

Good luck!and again, welcome back.

Post pics of the roar runner!

Halfshafts maybe? Are the boots broke?

Shop had it on the lift. Bearings are silent. Looks like the rear differential, dammit! They put a Lucas additive in the differential.

This is the heart of the beast. Yes, I get a stupid smile on my face every time I pull the cover off the car and look at it... and every time I hit the GO pedal!

VinnytheVibe wrote:

RR garage 2.jpg

Dude.... Wheres the drool smiley? The roadrunner looks suweet