Problem areas to look at b4 warranty is up..?

[snowman04976]

Hey all.... we are reaching 75K on our 04 AWD Vue.. our aftermarket warranty expires at that point so I would like to get it into the shop and have anything fixed that may need fixing or attention.

Our front end sounds real loose and clunky.. we live on a "portions unpaved" road, with some serious potholes.. our Vue has been taking some abuse.

Other than the front end, nothing is in too bad of shape...getting a check engine light every once in a while but it wont stay on.

So any places that may need some attention or common problems that we should consider!? Thanks...:us:

[Tom92SCm]

Strut mounts are probably bad- especially if they take pot hole abuse on the daily.

I'm only a little past 50,000 miles myself.

[VTchemist]

Have them look at your front hubs/CV joint. Follow Tom92CSM's advice on the struts.

[snowman04976]

Have them look at your front hubs/CV joint. Follow Tom92CSM's advice on the struts.


Its funny you said the strut mounts, I was just saying that to the wife as we were bashing through more potholes on the way home that it sounds like strut mounts.

For the hubs, you mean wheel bearings specifically? I am suspicious of the CVs too.... some sounds I had heard in the past with slow sharp turns. Havent noticed lately.

Yeah, the vue is getting unintentional abuse on our road. Mile and a half in with mostly deep potholes, swerve as best you can to avoid...you know how that goes!

What about the rear diff? I thought I heard some groaning when I punched in on purpose to test the awd in the snow. :cake:

[VTchemist]

The bearings/CVjoint/axle is normally sold as a "single" unit. By that, I mean it has a single part number. The whole thing comes ready to place into your VUE. Of course, you would need the proper tools and a manual.

I have not disassembled a CV joint from its bearings and axle assembly. I am sure others that post have done so. They can speak specifically to how the units can be separated. You could probably try and order specific parts, but it's been my experience with other FWD cars that it is easier to replace the whole unit.

Struts wear out too. Your dealer would have to look at them and see if they have failed, or have just worn out. Failure and wearing out are two different things; warranty normally addressed failed parts.

The rear of the car should also be checked. The Rear Drive Module (RDM) has been problematic on some VUEs. Get you tech to check them out. Have the tech inspect all the rear components too.

[snowman04976]

that is what i envisioned about the CVs.

the 04 awd vue front end isnt a whole lot different than any other FWD. But, regarding the "hub"... there is a radial ball bearing in there taking the radial/vertical force from the wheel... the CV doesnt do that.... so are the wheel bearings in the hub a concern as well??

its all a concern of course!