Noise Diagnosis
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 58 other vehicles, including the 2003 Saturn Vue, 2003 Saturn L300, 2003 Saturn Ion 3, 2003 Saturn Ion 2, and 2003 Saturn Ion 1. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Any gear-driven unit produces a certain amount of noise that is normal and that conventional repairs or adjustment cannot eliminate. Slight noise that is heard only at a certain speed or under unusual or remote conditions is acceptable. For example, this noise tends to reach a peak at speeds from 40-60 MPH depending upon road and load conditions, or upon gear ratio and tire size. Noise of this kind does not indicate trouble in the axle assembly.
When an axle is suspected of being noisy, make a thorough test in order to determine whether the noise originates in the tires, road surface, wheel bearings, engine, transmission, driveshaft, or axle assembly.