2007 Cobalt LS


Within the past couple weeks I've been noticing this noise while driving. At first It reminded me of the same noise my Golf made when the struts were bad, but going around corners doesn't produce it.
It is so hard to tell where its coming from, but from the drivers seat it sounds like its from the back, or the middle of my car. But people in the passenger seat claim it to be from the front, right by the wheel.
The noise itself happens at any speed over small bumps mostly. Cracks in the road, or a man-hole cover, a change of grade or when the FRONT of my car goes over a speed bump. I can't really notice this noise on larger bumps, as it gets muffled out by standard road noise. IT sounds like a soft quick knocking. Think of it as if you heard somebody knocking on your front door, and you were in another room, but they knocked super-humanly fast.

I just called the dealer to schedule a visit, but then realize that this may not be covered under the basic warranty. I have owned the car for 2 years 11 months, and have 41K on the clock. I can't shell out money for such a fix, but it'd be nice to know what the problem is.

If anybody has any insight, or wants me to explain more, please help.


ETA: It's hardcore noticeable if I travel over a bit of road that is full of bumps. Like a rough spot at an intersection. It will make the noise throughout the entire trip over those bumps.

 

I know a lot of cobalts have a problem with the sway bar links. They are like $30 at oreillys or you can get em online.

 

Thanks, but is that based off my description, or is that just what a lot of Cobalts have problems with? I have no clue how the two are related, but am open for education.

 

sounds like the sway bar endlinks or the struts. can you see any oil around the struts?

 

I will check for oil around the struts. I kinda strayed from it being the struts, but only because I havn't lost any ride quality. I will have a look-see.

 

check control arm bushings my ls is 2 years old and mine are shot just a thought if it does it when you hit bumps

 

ya my struts went and my swaybar links are gone to both went around the same time for me. Ya i forgot about the control arm bushings too

 

A friend of ours' car made noises over bumps. Thought it was the end links but the dealership kept saying it was fine. My husband took a look at it and the was the nut on the strut tower loose letting the strut move.

 

I read the TBS on clunk noises from suspensions. Helpful. I was using the search out the ass.

My only problem now is, I could use a bit of a walkthrough for how to check for all this stuff. I don't know a thing about sway bar end links. I know where the bushing is for the control arm, but not how to replace it. I'm gonna try to correct these problems with only spending $ for the parts. I tried searching for more info and threads on these links and bushings, but I couldn't find any how to's.

 

Mine does this too!!!! I have an 07ls with around 47,000 mi. on it. Are these parts expensive to change?

 

Theres obvious tests like looking for movement in the parts and loose nuts. Bushings and endlinks aren't to expensive if its the struts they can be found at crate engine depot for a good price. I got ss/tc struts and shocks for under 400 bucks

 

The back seat will rattle and squeak too ... they had a TSB fro this as well . Unlatch the seat and drive around and see if it helps.

 

i have this too

 

I have a 07 Lt and have had to have the intermetiet steering shaft replaced twice, its only had 43K on it! but it was the same noise you are discribing, but it was more like up front. just thought i would add that haha

 

Try the sway bar end links. I changed mine out and it cleared up the exact same symptoms you are describing. Of course that was after I had also changed the CAB's and the sway bar bushings too but mines nice and quiet now. You can find out if its the sway bar links by removing the links and taking it for a drive. If the noise clears up its the links.

 

My wifes cobalt ls had noises like that coming from the front, twice. It ended up being the control arm bushings both times.

 

fml i have problems like this too. on a side note it also sounds like i have both front wheel bearings shot and the steering column definately needs to be looked at.

 

It seems like evryone is saying its the control arm bushings on here and on other posts that I have found. Are they hard to replace? what kind of tools whould be required?