95 Prizm noises on turns

[MAKG]

My wife reported an occasional "funny noise" in the Prizm, so I drove it for a bit. I found that, every once in a while, it would get a rhythmic rubbing noise at wheel speed. It's almost certainly coming from the left front wheel, and I could only make it happen while turning left and accelerating at the same time.

My first two thoughts were "brakes" and "CV joint." So I took the front wheels off and did an inspection. The brakes are around 50% all the way around. Balljoints, wheel bearings, and TREs all check out. I couldn't find play in the driveaxles (installed -- I don't have the time to yank the driveline out of this thing). HOWEVER, there seems to be some play in the differential output. I can wiggle the left side axleshaft from side to side, substantially, and the inboard joint moves with it. I don't see any play in the right side axle (but it has a center support bearing bolted to the engine block).

This transaxle is the one transmission I own that I've never had in pieces in the driveway. Is there a bushing I can replace here? Is the play normal? Do I need a side gear? Or is it still possible that the play is normal or I just need a driveaxle? Ripping this transaxle apart doesn't scare me, except for the downtime and availability of parts. It's not THAT common a transaxle, and I know where to find dozens in a Pick'n'Pull (it's down the street from the factory that assembled Prizms). But I'd rather not go there if it's something much simpler. Am I barking up the right tree?

Has anyone dealt with this issue? This is a very high mileage vehicle, about 275K miles now. The driveaxles are not original, but the transmission is.

[skippy]

buy the woman a new car,she's the mother of your children the apple of your eye.be a hero.

[MAKG]

If she goes to grad school next year (a real possibility), adding expenses right now is a baaaad idea.

[skippy]

got ya,good luck.

[Joshs93four-oh]

Hey makg, easiest to replace the trasmission. I have seen this on quite a few prisms/corollas that have high mileage. As far as a fix to the transaxle, I dont know much of anything but there would have to be some type of bearing/bushing to support the axle where it rides in the transaxle. What I am trying to say is that yes, this seems to be an issue with these platforms. I had one in the shop once that was so bad that I could not even turn the car to the left without LOUD popping noises and severe vibrations that were syncronized with the noises I was hearing. The only other problems I have EVER seen on these is worn inner tie rods, and excessive negative rear camber resulting from the rear springs wearing over time. Josh

[BDAB]

my brother just picked up a 2000 Jetta with a 5spd, 99,xxx miles for $3500 and i just picked up a 99 Subaru Legacy outback with a 5spd, 101,xxx miles for $3000 (haven't taken delivery yet, needs the c/c and a/c fixed before I pick it up)

you can buy 95 - 2000 Saturns all day long for under $2000...... there are options. at 275,xxx miles that car is near the end of its practical life, I know Toyota claims to be the million mile car but how many of the hundreds of thousands sold actually made it?

did your wife look into a fellowship for grad school? Teffie was offered one at Baylor (sp?) university in houstin depending on graduation. not going to cost anything to send teffie to grad school.

[Explorin94]

What does the wheel bearing look and feel like? If it is hitting the wheel speed sensor then you have a wheel bearing problem. Is it a clunk when turning?

[MAKG]

Bret, nice thought, but this vehicle doesn't have ABS. No, no clunk. It's a rhythmic rubbing noise.

As for the grad school expenses, it shouldn't cost anything; if not a fellowship, it's conventional in the sciences to get assistantships (teaching or research). But giving up the regular salary still translates to significant tightening.

[Explorin94]

I put money on a bad bearing. Take the brake components off and see if the bearing moves with a prybar.

[Will]

When our '90 Prizm was done with it's CVs at 180,000 it made noises only on turns. That would be my guess. Ours had over 300,000 on it when it finally left the family but I see it in town occasionally and it has been three years I think since my brother sold it to some kid wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt that just got his license, for $50. Surely he would have killed the tranny if it was prone to it. Yours has been driven nice, which it must have been to have lived to 275k, so I think it's the CVs. I don't think it's unusual to not feel play in them. There are enough parts in there to absorb the wiggling of a human arm without moving. A balljoint has only one clearance part in it.

[Bruce]

Sounds like CV joint to me, probably has a flat spot in the tulip and when in a turn puts extra pressure on the joint.

[Red 88 Ranger GT]

If it souds like rocks in a rock tumbler,It's cv a joint. especially if it's on a hard turn

[Explorin94]

He said he was getting a rhythmic rubbing noise when accelerating and also when turning left. Although a CV Joint can't be ruled out as the supposed problem, the rythmic rubbing noise as he calls it tells me a wheel bearing is going bad. I have never heard a CV Joint give a rubbing noise going in a straight line unless it is really worn out. Also knowing how MAKG is with his vehicles I dought he would have let it go that long.

[mhughes165]

also, there is a cv output shaft bearing on both sides of the transaxle, i am not farmiliar on replacing them on the geo, bu other transaxles i have done ive had to split the case to replace them, on where it meets the transaxle it should be a nice tight feel, if its sloppy like u say its prolly the bearing there

[skippy]

still think mike needs to put mrs.makg in something new,like a bmw.she could drive to college in style and mike would be the hero!

[Explorin94]

still think mike needs to put mrs.makg in something new,like a bmw.she could drive to college in style and mike would be the hero!

X2

Sorry Mike

[My92Ranger]

Put it up on jackstands and start it and put it in gear. PUT A BLOCK IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL.
Let it run and crawl under there and find the noise... a peice of vacuum hose placed to your ear and several spots on the car will help (unless you own a mechanics stethascope) Just put it near the wheel bearing and the transmission and try to find the noise then post back.. with more info on where you hear the noise we could help better.

[MAKG]

Well, I do own a mechanics' stethoscope, but I'm really not very comfy running this thing in gear and climbing under it. And I doubt it will produce anything because it doesn't make any noises except under heavy load AND turning.

The wheel bearing doesn't seem loose at all; the whole front end is nice and tight. And it's not very old, so I'd be PISSED if it were already gone.

When I can find the time (maybe this or next weekend -- the Exploder needs some work, too, and these are not happening at the same time), I'll take the left-side driveshaft out and give it a good feel, along with the wheel bearing.