98 Malibu brake problem

[vpowell]

Hey... I have a 98 Malibu. I am having a TON of trouble w/ the brakes. My ABS light is now on and staying on. I have already had to fix it one time before and only a few months later it happened again. Also... when I put the car in reverse, and turn the wheel while backing up, something really loud pops. I have no idea what that noise is but it sounds like something under my car is breaking...... Any suggestions anyone???

[mansfield98]

Malibu's tend to burn through breaks rather quick. Try ceramic pads for one, if not get a lifetime guarantee on your breaks. Also check on recalls. I believe there was one where the recalled them for the rack and pinion steering. Or something along those lines. Something about the bearings or something. So just do like a search somewhere for 98 Malibu recalls and I can almost guarantee that one comes up. Plus another recall for like the windshield leaking or something. Hope this helps.

[DaYtOnAt2]

It is either the lower control arm bushing(s) have popped out of their metal collar allowing the control arm to knock against the frame or if it is a single loud crack and thats it, then the hub bearing assembly is shifting inside the knuckle due to poor design tolerances. if you turn the wheel all the way to one side and look at where the control arm bolts into the frame (closer to the firewall) and stick a finger in there to see if you can feel the rubber sitting on top of the control arm. If the bushings are intact then more than likely it is the hub bearing and could also explain ABS warning light problems as the sensor is enclosed inside the unit also. good luck.