Hi everyone
My Cobalt's odometer just flipped 14,000 miles today and the older it gets, the louder this clunking noise gets. It sounds terrible--like a cheap car!--when you drive slow over bumps, pot holes, railroad tracks, etc. Drive fast and you don't hear it!

So I took it to Chevy a few weeks back and explained to my service advisor what I am hearing. It's the front suspension, I was told, and there is nothing he or Chevy can do about it. Apparantly, this problem has been in existance since the very first Cobalt and Chevy did repairs at $700 per car, until it got to be too expensive and Chevy decided no more until they can come up with a 'cheaper' fix (no pun intended).

Has anyone had this problem and was able to get it fixed? Has the noise returned? Shouldn't there be a Recall on this?

Another 14,000 miles and I'll either be bald from pulling my long hair out, or driving a Volkswagen!
Please, Chevy, fix my car!!!!

 

I have it in the front passanger side. Havent tried to get it fixed under warranty because I have eibachs on my car. If I would have known my car would begin to self destruct I would have never modded anything.

 

sounds like a strut mount or strut but I'm sure they would have figured that out.....weird

 

I think its the strutt itself, you only hear it when going slow through parking lots and over bumps but its actually quite loud and annoying.

 

i get the same thing its annoying but so are a lot of other things with this car

blower motor noise, sun roof sliding shitty, passenger door panel, brakes pulsating

 

Yup I have the same thing too.... My car is bone stock so I don't think you guys modding have anything to do with it....

 

I hear the same thing but it seems like only when I take off, or turn my steering wheel as soon as I take off.

 

thats more like when i hear it ^^^

 

You are right thats the only time I hear it too when everything hasn't been warmed up and my car has been sitting 12+ hours......

 

You know, i was just about to start searching on this problem.. I have noticed that when driving slow.. over bumps there is a clunking type noise coming from the drivers front. I am gonna reverse the airbox mod and take it in to see what they have to say.. I think it is getting worse, and its a huge pissoff.

 

I'll ask my service advisor about this next time. It's worth a shot.

 

I beleive there is a TSB for that. If you get a 'cluck' when turning the steering wheel all the way side to side then the dealer should fix that. I think they replace or re-lube an intermediate shaft in the steering column.

The noise I get is a loud, deep, shudder/rattle in the front suspension (felt through the steering column) when I'm driving slow over bumpy roads or sometimes just while braking. I took it in thinking it was what the TSB was for, but the dealer said 'Yup, they can hear the noise, but it's normal'. It makes the car sound pretty junky, but as long as it's not a serious problem, or one that will get worse, I can live with it.

 

wrong. they have to fix it if it has a problem. unless thats out of the GM tech's (the one on the phone) mouth, then they have to fix it. i had a problem like that too, except mine was for when i made left turns. ive got a left axle assy on order at the moment

 

Yes, this is what my car does. I think I'll call my service advisor today and set up an appt. I can't stand this much longer. Your dealer said it's normal? That's not normal. Kia's don't even have this problem and they have a better warranty!

 

TSB it's the itermediate shaft. Is wasn't properly lubricated when put on the car. If the noise sounds like it's coming from the front driver side of the car, it's the I shaft.

 

Hmm this is weird, I started noticing this same noise when I put my new springs on, I figured I did it incorrectly or something, this makes me feel a little better but it still sucks

 

There are TWO TSBs for the two noises/problems, one for the steering one for the suspension. There is a fix for the steering, they replace the intermediate shaft. The one for the suspension there is no fix. As someone said before, they were attempting to fix it at $700 a pop cost to them and it wasn't fixing the problem. So they're aware of it, and they are working on a different solution, but as of right now there is no fix for the suspension noise...which sucks because mine is getting WAY worse.

 

somtimes when i pull out of a parking lot or something it feels almost loose and i hear that clunking...i think maybe different coilovers would fix it? just a guess. once my parts site comes out with some, i'll get em and let you know.

haha....cheaper fix

 

its your axles i thought it was normal to when saturn told me that then a week or so l8r BOOM! had to pay a 1000 dollars 700 dollars for parts, and 300 fo install (sound familiar? "700")

 

Thanks a bunch! I am glad it's just not my car now. It's a shame though that others are having this problem. If I have to pay to get it fixed, my car's being traded in.

These 2 problems you mention, are the new Cobalts rolling off the assembly line fixed or will they eventually have this happen too?

 

The steering is fixed with the new intermediate shaft. As far as the suspension, it's anyone's guess. I'm assuming since they don't know how to fix it they can't fix it on the new ones coming off the line either.

 

Regarding

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"There are TWO TSBs for the two noises/problems, one for the steering one for the suspension. There is a fix for the steering, they replace the intermediate shaft. The one for the suspension there is no fix. As someone said before, they were attempting to fix it at $700 a pop cost to them and it wasn't fixing the problem. So they're aware of it, and they are working on a different solution, but as of right now there is no fix for the suspension noise...which sucks because mine is getting WAY worse.
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2005 Cobalt SS/SC - Arrival Blue Metallic "

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I had same problem with the same noise,(its feels like a hit on the steering wheel, when suspention was absorbing vibrations) Dealer replaced intermediate shaft, beetwin stering wheel & servo motor of direction), now this "small hit" desappears. Was UNDER WARRANTY.

NOW I have other noise under same side, suspention one I suppose, Dealer sent me a mail last week asking for "how is it working" some thing freak don´t think??? I inform them about the new problem.... they replay "Next week we will receive tecnical support from a local plant (Mexico) we will show your car to them and we have an other similar customer with the same problem"

I´will keep you informed....

(sorry for my english, I know it sucks)

 

Thank you all. Tonite was my appt at Chevy. 2 hours later, they determined it was the shaft and will order it. That'll take care of the one problem, let's hope the other suspension fix will come soon.

 

I had this same problem when turning into my driveway or somethin.. the dealer fixed it and the problem is gone. i got this fixed last september. Member JapEatr had the same problem. What was done was the dealer order a whole new steering kit or somethin and replaced the old with the new. I have the part number i just have to look through my receipts

 

Weird. I've put 10k on my 06 and haven't heard a thing yet, hopefully it stays that way.