Comments on: My '94 Geo Metro is making grinding noises when I turn.

Question: My '94 Geo Metro is making grinding noises when I turn.

moonbird — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 17:19:32 -0800

Since I can't get through at Cartalk, here I am: '94 Geo Metro (no power steering), manual trans. When making a turn, an unbearable grinding noise ovetakes my senses and absconds with my driving pleasure. It continues for a few seconds after the turn. Thanks in advance, and be brutally honest if you think it's a pricey fix.

By: birdherder

birdherder — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 17:31:35 -0800

I know nothing about cars except when that happend to my Honda I found out it was the CV joints. My friends and I gave it a name: the clicker. I told people it was to help the sight impaired know that I was turning.

And CV stands for Constant Velocity. That is all I know about cars.

My car was totaled before I got it fixed. I just remember it cost more to fix than I had.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 17:49:02 -0800

Wanna stick your head under the car and check that the rubber booties over the CV joint are still intact?

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:09:02 -0800

Sure, Moonbird, get a new car. Blame everything on Ray!

Seriously, though, it does sound a lot like the joints; it's not very expensive to replace. It's not uncommon for that to happen, especially in the case of subcompact cars with front-wheel drive mechanisms. Some TLC from your trusty mechanic, and you're good to go!

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:22:29 -0800

It sounds more like the CV axle carrier bearing to me. A CV joint usually makes a clattering noise, not a grinding noise.

I had the driver's side bearing replaced on a Plymouth Horizon back in the mid-80's, and it cost about $500, labor included.

By: Hildago

Hildago — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:28:32 -0800

My brother's nameless Toyota pickup had the exact same problem with the CV joint, and I can imagine exactly the sound you're describing--definitely a grinding, not a clicking--and if that is what it indeed is, it is pricey, due to labor. I do not remember the exact number, but I think it would have to be at least about $500 for him to complain as much as he did about it.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:21:50 -0800

Having dropped a pair of front-wheel drive axles to replace the CV bootie, I strongly recommend that it be done by a shop. The procedure was easy enough and went well, but it took hours and was really much more work than it was worth.

By: trharlan

trharlan — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:37:33 -0800

I disagree with fff. I've done it on four cars, never had a problem, always went fast. However-- I've always dropped the entire half-axle off at a machine shop for a new bearings and new/remanufactured cages.

But I also think that "grinding" is an in-between symptom. If it's a clickclickclick, it's definitely the joint. If it's a whine, you're looking at possibly running a dry power-steering pump. You've checked the fluid level, I presume?

Also-- always repair/replace suspension and steering parts in pairs. When one goes, the other isn't far behind.

By: falconred

falconred — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:49:54 -0800

Doing some quick blue book math, you may want to note that your Geo is perilously close to being "totalled" if this repair costs more than the $500 mentioned above.

It may me time to take ol' yeller out back...

By: soplerfo

soplerfo — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 07:01:07 -0800

We have the very same car.
I don't know about a grinding sound, but if it's more of a squealing sound, then it might be that your belts are loose - apparently this is something that happens often in this year/model of car. When the belts are loose or old it will squeal when starting up and when going around corners. It's a quick fix though. supposedly you can do it yourself by adjusting a nut somewhere, but my mechanic just did it for me for free.

And, of course, if it is more of a grinding than a squealing then I've just given you info you can't use, sorry.

By: Sean Meade

Sean Meade — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 08:48:37 -0800

my wife had an older Geo Metro, like 89 or something, that had a grinding problem with the brakes after the pads wore down. fwiw...

By: moonbird

moonbird — Thu, 10 Jun 2004 10:00:50 -0800

Thanks all. I just had the brakes replaced a few weeks ago, and my car doesn't have power steering so that theory is shot. But, I'll take it to a mechanic tomorrow and will post who wins the toaster for the lucky guess.