New Member Posting
Executive Summary:
What's the correct part number - and what's a good source - for the right front halfshaft on a front wheel drive 2003 Vibe with 5 speed manual?
What are the odds that I've also got a transmission issue?
How can I give up on a car with only 334xxx miles on it?
The Story:
The problem: early last winter an independent shop replaced the right front halfshaft on my 2003 Vibe - front wheel drive, 5 speed manual. Why replace it? I was hearing a road-speed related noise when the car was in gear and accelerating (even gently). I drained and replaced the transmission fluid - no change in the sound. I also didn't see metallic glints in the fluid. I felt a little play in the passenger side halfshaft, but none in the driver side. So I asked the shop to replace the passenger halfshaft. The replacement halfshaft wasn't as long as the original - hmm.
Drove the car home (50 miles) and drove it a little more. Sound was lessened, but I still heard something. I parked the car for the winter. This spring started it, backed up with steering fully cranked over - and the passenger halfshaft popped out. THe sound was -- imagine a gorilla pounding under the front of the car with a baseball bat. The car couldn't move under its own power. Towed to the repair shop - they installed another replacement - which popped out as soon as they cranked the wheels over.
The parts supplier - and the folks who provide the halfshaft to the supplier - claim they are providing the correct part. But clearly they aren't.
So does anyone know the part number - and a source - that will provide the proper length halfshaft?
Second question. I didn't know about this forum until a few days ago. What a cool resource! I see mention of problems with the 5 speed manual transmissions. Mine has been fine to this point - maybe thanks to lots of highway miles and generally easy driving habits (still the original clutch!) What are the odds that the transmission is on its way out? Remember that I was hearing something before this saga began - there may have been a halfshaft issue, but the transmission too may have issues.
Thanks for your thoughts.