'04 Saturn Vue Wheel bearings

PDNEMETH

MEMBER
2004 SATURN VUE
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
123,000 MILES

Hello! My saturn dealership replaced frt wheel bearing in 2008/also recommended I have an alignment done as well. In 2010, both front wheel bearings were replaced by an AAA local mechanic, to the tune of $900, one month apart. The mechanic told me that if I had future front wheel bearing noise, the receipt provided me with a warranty number that would replace them for free. I asked him why the one replaced in 2008 wasn't warranted and he referred me back to the dealership; how do I know what parts/work is warranted and when to ask these? Thanks for any info you can provide as it seems the more I keep my car away from the mechanic, the better off am and saves on addt'l repairs!
Also, my saturn mileage reads 123,000. Do I have to have timing belt changed; windshield wiper pump makes noise as I'm pushing steering column to spray fluid but no fluid coming through front and back wiper ports; do I need new reservoir pump?
THANKS! I'm a female but regret not enrolling in car maintenence courses in high school as I'm encountering unscrupulous repair personnel through the years.

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

If the first wheel bearing was done at the saturn dealer that one had a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty which ever come's first. Hopefully the guy that just replaced both front wheel bearing's just didn't do both just because even though there was only one bad.I have seen guys that just like to replace both instead of one.I have also seen guys that just don't know how to tell which side it really is so they replace both.I have seen guys that just replace both because they make more money that way.I have very seldom replaced two at time like that it's usually one or the other. As far as knowing what part's work is warranted and what that warranty is it is always best to ask before the work is done what that warranty is. If your washer reservoir is full and the pump is making a higher pitched noise meaning you can really hear it a lot louder then normal. Then you most likely have a clogged inlet screen that goes on the inside of the bottle on the inlet of the pump. You will have to remove the bottle and clean the screen. Its really common on those vues to do that I have cleaned a lot of those screens. That engine has a timing chain not a belt so no worries there.