Cracking noise

I have many problems w/my 98 Malibu but for now, I need help with 2 of them.
1) When I go in reverse while turning my wheel, then I put it in drive and start going forward, there are several cracking noises that sound like there coming from the front axle?

2) When I go down a cobble stone street about 10 mph, it sounds and feels like my wheels are going to fall off!! This noise also happens if I'm at a stop and turn my wheel back and forth a little. I could feel it in the floor.

Any clues?

For your own safety, I think you had better get the front suspension [lower control arms] and steering atachmentments checked. I had the bushings separate on my lower control arms. The front wheel would clunck and shift position, aft, when the brakes were applied.

Control arm bushings it is... very common on J- N- and W- bodies

My '97 mailibu is having the same problem too. There is a lot of cracking noise coming out from the front of the driver's side when the car is moving a low speed and braking to a stop. No noise heard when traveling at high speed.
Just sent the car to the mechanic and was told that need to replace the entire lower control arm, quoted $440 to replace both, was told that the bushing on the left is gone and the entire wheel could fall off. Anyone, is it true that the consequence of not changing the lower control arm is that the wheel will fall off? Can I just change the bushing?

Please help!

The bushings are press-fit in. You have to replace the entire control arm.

My mechanic installed a control arm he located from a salvage yard. Try that route first. Can the wheel fall off? It seems that the wheel could jam against the wheel-well...and send you spinning.

Although, with no support from the bottom the spindle assembly may come loose.

My mechanic said that when his helper drove in and applied the brakes, the wheel assembly buckeled under and shifted aft. That can't be safe for too long.

I wonder if the NHTSA is studying this malady?

If you guys are paying to have a new control arm installed you are getting RIPPED OFF! I have replaced a few hundred of these bushings that seperate from their press fit collars. Only if the control arm itself is damaged should it be replaced. Try this site for the part. https://www.rockauto.com/applet3.html I can't seem to find any pics of how to install but would be more than willing to post instructions if you are willing to try yourselves.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/store/interior-15732031-B000C543GA-Moog_Chassis_K6578_Suspension_and_Alignment.html Listed for a Tacoma, but also spec'd for a 97 Malibu. Looks like 'em . If you guys are paying to have a new control arm installed you are getting RIPPED OFF! I have replaced a few hundred of these bushings that seperate from their press fit collars. Only if the control arm itself is damaged should it be replaced. Try this site for the part. https://www.rockauto.com/applet3.html I can't seem to find any pics of how to install but would be more than willing to post instructions if you are willing to try yourselves.

just drive it till the control arms fall off

just drive it till the control arms fall off

I would have but I just sold it. I was under there trying to see what all the racket was coming from and deduced that the steering rack was worn. I twas not loose on the mounts, it wouldnt move during turning, but it would make an audible knock, as if the pinion gear was not meshing tightly on the rack. Just an observation, but it made sense as I was turning the wheel 15 degrees each way and hearing the knock. Oh yeah, my CV's were shot too but I knew that. Question would be if the CV's would make that noise at speeds under 15 MPH, over that the noise was not evident. Its gone, now its his problem. :disappoin

Well because I have a problem that matches the exact description that you've posted. I want to continue the thread.

Are there any other possible problems other than the bushings. I've noticed that on the drivers side of the transmission where the axle connects, the joint on the transmission seems to be slightly pulled away and that something may be leaking from around it. Would this play a part in the problem or is this something entirely different.