GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello, I posted in another channel but this one might be more appropriate,

I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe 2WD automatic with 106,000 miles. Have had the car two years and has always driven great. When I first got it, I installed new struts, inner/ outer tie rods, sway bar links, and took it to a shop for an alignment.

About 9 months ago I put 2007 Scion TC wheels on the back with Kenda Kieser tires. Kept the factory front. No change, car drove super as always.

THE PROBLEM STARTS:

Roughly 2-3 months ago, I started getting a slight vibration/ shake in the steering wheel/ front end. It would only happen going above about 30mph. It was subtle at first, but got increasingly worse, then violent. I could not drive on the interstate.

I took it to a tire shop, they said it was the front tires. So I stuck on two other Scion TC wheels and put matching Kendas on the front. That did not fix the problem.

Talked to my mobile mechanic, said it could be warped rotor/ stuck caliper pin, so I got new rotors and pads on the front, new shoes and drums on the back. Didn't fix the vibration.

Went to suspension shop and got an alignment. Didn't help.

The suspension shop said suspension and front end was in good shape, recommended road force tire balance. Got that, still shook.

I took a look at the tires, they were a bit out of round for having less than 2000 miles on them. I figured it's because they were cheap and from eBay. Whatever, I went to Discount tire and got some Sentury tires (I know, also cheap, but figured I could use the shops warranty, as I could not get one from the eBay tires)

Got four new tires and yeah, thing still shakes.

I don't know what to do. It does seem like everything I have done to remedy the shaking has helped some. It's not violent and dangerous anymore, just very annoying. Every mechanic says "yeah suspension is good".... Car makes no weird sounds. No squeaks.... I've spent so much money already. I'm at a loss.

This is my first post here, thank you guys.

[youtube] https://youtube.com/shorts/zFTX7nEmjg0?feature=share

It sounds like either another set of bad tires, or a suspension problem multiple shops have missed. CV joints maybe?

Welcome to GenVibe. I agree with Andy as it could be CV joints. That happened to me a few years ago. Get it up to highway speed where vibration is at it's worst, then back off on acceleration or put car in neutral & coast and see if you feel the difference. FYI ... update your profile showing us your location. Again WELCOME & visit often

tpollauf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 05, 2024 6:37 am Welcome to GenVibe. I agree with Andy as it could be CV joints. That happened to me a few years ago. Get it up to highway speed where vibration is at it's worst, then back off on acceleration or put car in neutral & coast and see if you feel the difference. FYI ... update your profile showing us your location. Again WELCOME & visit often

Gotcha, if i do that at highway speeds and coast, what should I look for it to do and what would help me determine if it is a bad CV? Thanks

ourygrip wrote: ↑Sat Oct 05, 2024 11:23 am Gotcha, if i do that at highway speeds and coast, what should I look for it to do and what would help me determine if it is a bad CV? Thanks

Upon acceleration you'll definitely notice/feel the vibration. When backing off & coasting, you'll notice the difference to where the vibration goes away or is minimal compared to when fully accelerating. Same should be observed if putting vehicle in neutral.