So lately, my poor 39k mile cavy has been developing problems... conveniently, it started developing these probs right at 35,999 miles... Anyways...

1.) Every bump I go over and every time I turn left, I hear a pop/clunk noise from the front and can feel it in my steering wheel. I know this is a common problem but I don't remember what it was...
2.) I just had my front pads and rotors replaced about 1500 miles ago and already they're squeaking again when driving slow and not applying the brake... sounds like a squeak-squeak-squeak when going slow like only one part of the rotor is touching something... Also there is considerable vibration when trying to slow down at high speed
3.) From about 65mph on up, the car vibrates like hell. I feel it in the wheel, center console, seat of my pants, you name it. I have had my tires balanced already and that did not fix it. A guy at a shop I took it to said it could be either a strut mount bushing or wheel hub bearing but he couldn't tell.
4.) My tires in the front are nearly bald. They were low when I bought the car w/ 8500 miles and obviously I've worn them down since. There COULD be a flat spot on the tires causing the vibration but I can't really tell... I would have thought a wheel/tire balance would detect a flat spot but maybe not.
5.) It keeps losing coolant although there is no puddle when I pull my car out of spots and it is extremely gradual. Every month or so, I have to add a bit or else the light will come on.
6.) It feels like there is a very slight hesitation when holding the gas pedal steady in like 3rd gear between 2500 and 4000 rpm. I think I notice it more when going uphill. It is very slight so I can't tell if its my imagination or not...

Other than that, my car is great. Any thoughts on what any one of these problems could be?

Thanks in advance for any help.

could be a few things i would say the hub assembly there around 100 each is there any abnormal tire wear?

i'm no expert at all but i've read and experienced some of things you listed. here goes:

1. possibly intermediate steering shaft needs lubrication or replacement or bad cv joints. if you're getting loud squeaking when turning the wheel could be a bad strut mount
2. i just started experiencing the same issue but from the back brakes. will check out..
3. possibly a bad wheel bearing, tie rod, or a banged rim. but that's if your tire tread is ok. yours is low so i dunno, maybe that's causing the vibration. did you try rotating your tires to see if the vibration is reduced?
4. check 3
5. if the coolant is not leaking out anywhere it must be leaking internally. possibly a breached head gasket. definitely check out the whole cooling system.
6. that could be an issue of a simple tune up if the hesitation you're describing is very noticeable. check your plugs, pcv valve, air filter, fuel filter, etc.

wow that sux man, good luck with getting it fixed


2004 Cavalier, 2.2 ecotec, 5spd getrag
do you ever notice that the ones who talk the loudest have the least to talk about?

I had the first 2 problems.

#1 I had 3 times. it was the strut mount & bearing. Also the stabilizer bushings were loose too, which causes alot of banging.
#2 I had also, and it turned out to be a seized brake calliper

at 1500 miles, your brakes should not be doing that. The squeak might just be glazing, but the shaking tells me the installer may have screwed up. I changed my pads and rotors 40k miles ago, and they are still fine.

2: a ballancer without a pressure drum (almost no-one uses them) won't detect a flat spot. Also, its very tough to flat spot a regular tire, Unless it sits unmoved for several months.

3: as noted above, a seized brake caliper could cause both your brake problems and the high speed shaking.