GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2003 🢒 Vibe - FWD 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Suspension General Diagnosis 🢒 Noise Diagnosis - Front Suspension

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: Any noise from the front of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the front suspension.

1

Did you review the system descriptions and perform the necessary Inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to  Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis

2

Important: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal characteristic of the vehicle.

Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle.

Did you duplicate the condition?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3

Is the noise reactive to vehicle load or speed?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 7

4
  1. Measure the tire pressure. Adjust as necessary. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  2. Inspect the tires for wear. Repair as necessary. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Inspect the wheel nuts for looseness. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the front wheel bearings. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the front transaxle for noises. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 7

7

Bounce the front of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Did you duplicate the noise?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Inspect the front suspension components for looseness. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Front Suspension.
  3. Inspect the front suspension components for damage. Repair as necessary.
  4. Lower the vehicle.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9
  1. Install the J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent.
  2. Bounce the front of the vehicle. Use the J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. If necessary, road test the vehicle.
  3. Repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 10

10

Inspect the ball joints and steering components for the following conditions:

    •  Lack of lubrication. Lubricate and repair where applicable.
    •  Looseness in the ball joints. Repair as necessary. Refer to Ball Joint Inspection .
    • Looseness in the outer tie rod ends. Repair as necessary. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
    • Looseness in the steering gear or the inner tie rods. Repair as necessary. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 11

11

Inspect the front struts. Repair as necessary. Refer to Suspension Strut and Shock Absorber Testing - On Vehicle .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 12

12

Inspect the front stabilizer shaft and stabilizer shaft links for damage. Repair as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement or to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

13

Inspect the control arms for damage. Repair as necessary. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

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14

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3