I recently purchased a 2004 Aveo LS Sedan with 50000 miles. I understand I have to have the timing belt replaced $240 dollars parts and labor and might as well replace the water pump since we're in there another $250 dollars parts and labor, ok. my other problem is the car shudders and shakes in the steering wheel at about 55 to 65 mph, I've read that replacing the lower control arms will fix this problem, has any one else had this problem and made this fix? Are the new control arms made better than the old ones? I'm also thinking of getting some bigger tires and wheels maybe 16's hope this will also help the stability. Please help.

Have the front wheels balanced. It will be about $12 and much cheaper than relplacing the lower control arms. Always go for the most simple and cheapest route when thinking about car repairs.

Chevrolet has a technical service bulletin from October 2006. It is TSB 06-06-01-021 that states if the timing belt is replaced from 30k to 55k Chevrolet will only charge for labor. They will supply the belt. Part #96417177. Don't put off doing the belt. A valve will go through a piston and it's about a $1500 repair bill.

Thanks Dave I'm having the timing belt replaced today along with the water pump playing it safe. I'll do that with the front tires makes since, then well see if it still shakes, I would like to get bigger tires 16's if I can, try to find a low coast set.
Agian thanks for your sugestion.

Good news had the 50,000 mile 2004 Aveo in the shop to get the timing belt replaced $240 dollars parts and labor, it would of been about $400 at the dealership so shop around. Anyway they balanced the tires and cleaned off all the hard dirt that stuck to the back of the tires (previous owners lived in the mountains just out of denver most likly off a dirt road) and the steering no longer shudders :grinyes: P.S. Mechanic said timing belt was shot, get that thing replaced save the headache :2cents:

Before you go replacing parts in your Aveo, try this.
Take it to a tire shop, have them check out your car. Shaking and shuttering can be caused by a bunch of different things. Tare balance, maybe knots or bubbles in the tires, control arms, ball joints, alignment, and a few other things that I can't bring from the top of my head.
The point is this, you won't know until you get it checked. Once you get it checked, and know what is wrong, and you can get it fixed. Don't easter egg it though. Get the facts, know for sure that what you replace will fix the problem.
I have seen people replace tie rods and control arms to find that it doesn't fix their problem, and feel really foolish when they find out that their actual problem was an off-balanced tire.
Work smarted, not harder, fix it, and fix it right the first time. :smile: