2000 Noisy front end, possibly some play in it..

[Acidbath]

Hey there, I have a malibu with about 30 k miles on it, and it just keeps seeming like the front end is coming loose. Additionally it sounds like a wheel bearing might be going out, due to the constant rubbing noise i hear. Replaced the brakes, got rid of all the rust, so I know that isn't the problem. Just never had a car with this few miles, have so many noises and problems. It keeps driving worse everyday, and i'm wondering if there are common problems in the front suspension I should look into. If not, i'm trading this p.o.s., as it is only good for a paper weight. Shoulda stuck with a Ford sadly enough. Have 200k on 2 of them, and never hear noise in the front with them.... maybe i bought a monday build or something hell i dunno... any ideas would be greatly apprecaited.

[ViperJ]

Check out http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=293173 I have had this problem in my bu and it was the strut connection and one of the control arms was broken. Strut connection was covered under extended warraty and controll arm was $400.

[Acidbath]

well thats not it, because it never makes any kind of clunking noise at all. Not bump related, just when the car rolls. Like i said, it sounds like a bad wheel bearing, but i can't beleive it would happen in 30k miles. with manipulation of the steering the sound will go away, but when driving straight, its always there.. any ideas?

[Pattiduke]

Is this sound getting increasingly louder? Where your roters uneven? Did the stearing wheel shake when you braked (ha ha) at speeds of over 100km (60 miles per hour) at any time before. If so then it is probably the hub. Almost sounds like a bearing problem, but considering the history of Malibus, investigate the hub first.

[Extreme28]

I had a wheel bearing go bad on our car within 10,000 miles. It did the same thing you are describing. So yes it is possible

[dwalmop]

it's probably the wheel bearing. Is it a humming noise that gets louder when you turn one direction and quiter if you turn the other? If so, you definately have a wheel bearing going out on the side opposite to the direction you turn to make it louder.

[ilcul8rk]

Originally Posted by dwalmop

it's probably the wheel bearing. Is it a humming noise that gets louder when you turn one direction and quiter if you turn the other? If so, you definately have a wheel bearing going out on the side opposite to the direction you turn to make it louder.

Bummer! I suppose this is exactly what is wrong with my '98 Malibu too! This is likely to be an expensive little repair...especially since I already need a speed sensor as well. That 2005 FORD Mustang looks sweeter every day!!! For what I've put into my Chevy Malibu...I could have a hefty down-payment made! HA!

[Donato]

Any one out there have solved the following problems? I will appreciate you response.

1) I hear a rattling front suspension noise in my 97 Malibu ( like if the strouts or bushings were bad I took it to the mechanic and told me that his wife’s 98 malibu had the same problem and he has change the two front STROUTS, upper an lower bushings and the noise continues. Will changing the two trailing arms correct this problem ? Can they be tighten or must be change for new ones? what else can we do?

2) Last Friday the two front rotors( discs) were rectified and we placed GOOD quality aftermarket braking pads and the problem continues : (Once or twice a day the front braking system malfunctions, when I step on the brakes it seems the calipers do not get the power to stop for one to two seconds at the same time I hear also rattling metal some noise, the rest of the time it breaks
perfectly ( Could it be the ABS breaking control system? does this system connected to the car's computer?)

Thanks for your trouble any suggestions will be great help for me.