'05 Vue Wheel Bearings

2005 VUE, FWD, V6 Auto.
Took to dealer for howling noise and as I suspected, all 4 wheel bearings
need replaced. Fortunatly, all under warranty. My worry is why in the
world would these bearings go bad at 43,000 miles? If this is normal, I
guess I will be soon looking for another car!

JohnS
San Diego, CA

 

I have a 06 Vue with the 4 cyl, 5 speed...Had the same thing happen, but
only the front bearings, not the back, and at about 50K. Sounded like I was
driving with snow tires on the front...Anyway, seems to be a common issue
with the Vue (Google it and find out)...Some never have a problem, others
do. I would suggest that if your handy, do it yourself next time when the
cars out of warranty. It really is kind of easy and only took 1-1/2 hours
to change out both front (and that was doing them for the first time). I
found Timken bearings/Hubs online for mine at $110 each as you have to
replace the whole hub....Better than the ~$800 that the dealer and ~$500 for
the local garage wanted.

The bearings have been an issue from the beginning and they never did
anything about it, but the Vue is great for me and I get 32 MPG, which is
great for that size vehicle, so I'll be sticking with it....

IYM

 

What kind of sound and at what speeds? My wife's '05 has had this - erm -
rattle in the front at between 5MPH and about 20MPH. After that it isn't
noticeable.

Different sources for the bearings?

 

heh - describing sounds in usenet is interesting.......I would not describe
it as a rattle, though - more of a hum. The faster you drive, the higher
the pitch of the hum, until you can't hear it due to the pitch and other
factors like road noise and such, which was why it seemed to disappear. I
thought snow tires or tires going bad was a good description, as I heard it
and didn't feel it. As to different sources, I don't know - could be. I
think I remember someone stating that the Timken bearings are the OEM
bearings, and that's what I put on. They are the best to replace them with
as the aftermarkets I saw were foreign crap and was told I'd be replacing
them even sooner. Timken is a good bearing manufacturer, as I use them for
unrelated bearings with my job, so I truly believe it's not a problem with
the bearings, but that the wrong bearings were specified in the first place
for the design of the Vue. As for why some go, and some don't, driving
habits (aggressive/passive styles) may have to play a part. I used to be an
aggressive driver with hard turns and such, but have calmed down as of late
with gas prices, and a family to think about. My 68 year old father has the
same Vue as you (but an '06), (and drives like a 68 year old), has 40K on it
and his bearings are fine.........(so far)

IYM

 

If you have a "rattle" then it is not wheel bearings. Most likely some
kind of suspension bushings (another frequent issue with VUE's) since
mine have been replaced 3 times now. Since I am not a mechanic and don't
want to be one, I am dumping this thing before I get 60k on it and no
warranty.
JohnS

 

Isn't that a U2 album?

thanks for the description.

 

Okay - I was just wondering. We actually haven't taken it in yet, and I
planned to do so next month.