GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

When I hit a sharp bump in the road (ala speed bumps), I get a thumping, vibrating noise. Sounds like it is under the car in the direction of the right front wheel area. It is very hard to localize. It doesn't do it all the time and its worse when the car is warmed up. Sometimes it is barely noticeable and others it is loud.I've looked everywhere and the only thing I have found is the exhaust system has two joints, one at the manifold and one by the rear tire. Both of these joints are "spring loaded" and not bolted tight. This allows both joints to move freely and the entire exhaust system to move alot. I think my thumping vibrating noise is coming from the front joint, but it is very hard to isolate.Anyone else have a similar noise or any info they have heard about this?Thanks

I have not had anything similar to this with my GT either. If you cannot pin point the noise, have the dealer look at it. The only bad part with that is that as soon as you take it in to the dealership, the noise will quit.

Wow, no I have nothing like that. I agree with Triton, I would take that one to the dealership.

i also have never had any problems with my vibe making noises like that take it to the dealer so they can look at it.

Once again....no thumping vibrations here upon a speed bump. The only vibrations I have had a problem with are when I am in 1,2, or 3rd gear and my RPMs are around 3000 or so. I get a a kind of buzzing/grinding vibration. I believe it is the heatshield under the cat-converter. The vibration sounds as though it is comming from around my feet on the floor board and when I looked at the heatshield, it is that flimsy tin type material. Next time I go to the deal though, I will have them check it out just for the heck of it.Jim

Definetely have the dealer check it out. Are you accelerating when this happens or just coasting over the bump. There are many factors involved to isolate what is happening. This is not what it is doing but I wanted to suggest it to people who have older cars too. When going over a spped but and you touch the accelerator and when the car levels you hear a clunk. This means that there is a bad motor mount. Because of the extreme sudden up and down speed bumps cause, the engine rolls back then leaps forward from acceleration and the bump. Just a little tip from service land. Front wheel drive tranverse engines lurch toward the firewall then back towards the front. It just maybe your exhaust moving in place a greater distance because of the speed bump. It you go over 30MPH over one you wont hear the little clunk problem solved. LOL you will need a new suspension after 40,000 miles.

i have a lot of vibrations/noises because of my 3 inch custom exhaust piping. Under the cat theres a metal piece that goes across, its probably bumping that or the metal piping is vibrating against it. Go under your car and look around for any contact with the exhaust, just move it around on the hangers.

Why would you have a 3" exhaust on a 4 cyl. engine. That is way too big for that. 1.8L does not need 3" exhaust, that will make you loose power.

ATT: retiredfieldI have the same problem you do. I have had it to the dealer ship 7 times and they replaced the strut and the halfshaft, but still cant figure it out! then took it to another dealer and it didnt make a sound! I cant figure it out. But if you find out anything please let me know, If I found out anything Ill let you know!! quote:When I hit a sharp bump in the road (ala speed bumps), I get a thumping, vibrating noise. Sounds like it is under the car in the direction of the right front wheel area. It is very hard to localize. It doesn't do it all the time and its worse when the car is warmed up. Sometimes it is barely noticeable and others it is loud.I've looked everywhere and the only thing I have found is the exhaust system has two joints, one at the manifold and one by the rear tire. Both of these joints are "spring loaded" and not bolted tight. This allows both joints to move freely and the entire exhaust system to move alot. I think my thumping vibrating noise is coming from the front joint, but it is very hard to isolate.Anyone else have a similar noise or any info they have heard about this?Thanks2003 vibeshadow 18" motegi ff6 hyperblackborla exhasttop spoilerwire loomed motorwish list enjen caidrop coilsbottom spoilerbody kitunderdrive pullies

BubbaBlueyz-- OFF TOPIC But I see your from Ohio have you put any thought into coming to the Ohio meet? I tried to IM you but I'm not sure that it worked..... http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5256

ATT: retiredfieldI have the same problem you do. I have had it to the dealer ship 7 times and they replaced the strut and the halfshaft, but still cant figure it out! then took it to another dealer and it didnt make a sound! I cant figure it out. But if you find out anything please let me know, If I found out anything Ill let you know!! quote:When I hit a sharp bump in the road (ala speed bumps), I get a thumping, vibrating noise. Sounds like it is under the car in the direction of the right front wheel area. It is very hard to localize. It doesn't do it all the time and its worse when the car is warmed up. Sometimes it is barely noticeable and others it is loud.I've looked everywhere and the only thing I have found is the exhaust system has two joints, one at the manifold and one by the rear tire. Both of these joints are "spring loaded" and not bolted tight. This allows both joints to move freely and the entire exhaust system to move alot. I think my thumping vibrating noise is coming from the front joint, but it is very hard to isolate.Anyone else have a similar noise or any info they have heard about this?Thanks

Retiredfields:Talk to Nick (Nsimkins). He has a base, but he said some earlier models had missing foam or something in the strut towers that lead to a "clunking" noise whenever the car hit a bump or something...He can give you the details, maybe this is your problem?

off topic im thinking about it. Not sure if can get off work! I really want to!

I took the car to a dealer yesterday. I was able to reproduce the rattle for the mechanic. He had it up on the rack twice and both of us could find nothing. Sometimes the slightest bump will cause the noise and sometimes the largest potholes won't.Its now my quest in life to find this problem.

Hey Bubba, can you give me a better description of your noise. If it is the same as mine, at least I'll know not to change out the strut, etc.Thanks