front suspension = clunking noise?
#251
hello everyone. this is my first cobalt and first post.
i have an issue when turning left at mid-speeds (15-30mph). the noise is hard to describe, it does not sound like a "clunk" but rather the entire frame of the car "flexing".
my first thought was to strength the body by installing/getting a strute tower brace. i had the radio on so the exact location of the sound is unknown, sounded like it came from underneth the car really.
does this sound like a similar issue that others hear or happen. ive read the entire thread but am not 100% its the same issue. btw, its a 2007 cobalt ss 2.4 4dr sedan a/t thanks
i have an issue when turning left at mid-speeds (15-30mph). the noise is hard to describe, it does not sound like a "clunk" but rather the entire frame of the car "flexing".
my first thought was to strength the body by installing/getting a strute tower brace. i had the radio on so the exact location of the sound is unknown, sounded like it came from underneth the car really.
does this sound like a similar issue that others hear or happen. ive read the entire thread but am not 100% its the same issue. btw, its a 2007 cobalt ss 2.4 4dr sedan a/t thanks
#252
I have that clunking at low speeds over bumps and turning. At first, I thought it was the intermediate shaft on the steering column, but it isn't. I didn't read all the posts here, but I noticed on mine the lower control arm rear bushing has separated from the control arm causing the control arm to rattle around.
#253
i have an 06 ss sc 35k on it
front rotors turned 3 times then replaced, and front pads replaced (as courtesy) at dealership
ALL under warranty. I have had replaced:
steering shaft
clutch and pressure plate
shift knob (3 times)
shift cable
tie rod
hood latch
strut mount
also had ECM software updated at dealership (they said it is what caused my 2nd gear bogging)
the clunking in the front (i was told) was because of excessive clearance?!?!?
i have an 06 ss sc 35k on it
front rotors turned 3 times then replaced, and front pads replaced (as courtesy) at dealership
ALL under warranty. I have had replaced:
steering shaft
clutch and pressure plate
shift knob (3 times)
shift cable
-----tie rod
-----hood latch
------strut mount
also had ECM software updated at dealership (they said it is what caused my 2nd gear bogging)
the clunking in the front (i was told) was because of -------excessive clearance?!?!?
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Last edited by j124; 06-21-2008 at 03:07 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#255
Senior Member
Joined: 07-30-07
Posts: 2,220
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From: Home: Utica, MI Current Location: Mobile, Alabama
If they replaced it a year ago and you should still be under warranty. Dont let them tell you theres a 12000 mile and one year warranty now whn you had a 36000 and 3 year bumper to bumper to begin with. That would be like them replacing your steering column at 5000 mi and then saying, oh yeah btw you only have a year from now or until you hit 17000 miles before the warrant runs out. And then ur like, waitttt a minute now I have components on my car that arent even warrantied for 36000 miles!? **** the stealership, take it back....
#258
So my car is doing the same thing...I just opened the passenger door and stood on the sill and made the suspension move didnt hear or feel anything. Did the same to the driver side and i felt and heard the noise i think i have been hearing, I only hear it when going slow or turning corners, at high speed its non existant. So is it the lower control arm bushings on the driver side that are bad??????? Does anybody have a pic of a bad lower control arm bushing???
#260
I took my car for the same thing and they told me its the steering column. I swear GM is the cheapest ******** there is in the world. I know it has something to do with the suspension. Any ******* could know that.
#261
So my car is doing the same thing...I just opened the passenger door and stood on the sill and made the suspension move didnt hear or feel anything. Did the same to the driver side and i felt and heard the noise i think i have been hearing, I only hear it when going slow or turning corners, at high speed its non existant. So is it the lower control arm bushings on the driver side that are bad??????? Does anybody have a pic of a bad lower control arm bushing???
Usually when they go bad, you can rock the wheel forward-backwards with a socket on the lug nuts. If you go to tighten them, and the whole wheel moves a little, it means the bushings are bad. This is an extreme case though, they could be making noise and still not this loose.
#262
You won't see it unless you pull the control arm out. Its tucked up in the subframe.
Usually when they go bad, you can rock the wheel forward-backwards with a socket on the lug nuts. If you go to tighten them, and the whole wheel moves a little, it means the bushings are bad. This is an extreme case though, they could be making noise and still not this loose.
Usually when they go bad, you can rock the wheel forward-backwards with a socket on the lug nuts. If you go to tighten them, and the whole wheel moves a little, it means the bushings are bad. This is an extreme case though, they could be making noise and still not this loose.
#264
Hmm, I get the clunking a lot. Low speeds, bumps (while going straight and turning). I also have a horrible creeking noise when I turn the wheel sometimes, dunno if that was mentioned here?
This is my first car, I'm not sure how the repiar/work works on these vehicles. Do all of the cobalt come with a manufacturer warranty that cover this? I bought an 06 Cobalt in August of 06. ~19,000 miles on it now.
This is my first car, I'm not sure how the repiar/work works on these vehicles. Do all of the cobalt come with a manufacturer warranty that cover this? I bought an 06 Cobalt in August of 06. ~19,000 miles on it now.
#265
I am getting the same thing. Im at 50,000 miles now and am going to be stuck paying like $800 to get this problem fixed. Anyone know if printing out that technical bulletin on this problem would have any affect on a dealer either fixing it for cheaper or free since it is a common problem with the car?
Im pissed maybe writing a letter to GM will get me my money back when it is all said and done.
Im pissed maybe writing a letter to GM will get me my money back when it is all said and done.
#267
I've had the problem and have taken it in and they've changed the entire strut everything. The problem is still there but I have less of it(passenger side) it get a lot worse in winter for some reason not sure why?
#268
Back around January, my front end started doing a weird rattly-clunky business. Took it to the dealer and my brother found that the links for the stabilizer bar had broken/loosened. Had it replaced and the front end quieted down. As the roads here could double as a baja course, the stabilizer links have broken again and are doing the rattly thing all over again...
this time, the car is now out of warranty.
I'm cool with that because it's not the cars' fault... it's these shitty New York roads.
Still no problems with brake rotor warpage or any other issues.
this time, the car is now out of warranty.
I'm cool with that because it's not the cars' fault... it's these shitty New York roads.
Still no problems with brake rotor warpage or any other issues.
#269
Wll they had to replace my strut arms on the left and the right. the rattle appears to be gone (at least on the drive home from the dealership). It only set me back like $930... Oh and i had to get a new keyfob because my lock button didnt work, all the other buttons did just not the lock. That was $70, they were nice enough to reprogram it for free. I had a 97 grand prix and had less problems with that (minus the transmission dropping out, the reason i have the cobalt) than this car. oh well... if the rattle starts again im bringing it in right away.
#271
steering columns are commonly replaced on Cobalts for front end rattle
common clunking, rattling, popping noises:
lower control arm bushing coming out
front stabilizer link
steering column
intermediate shaft
tie rod end
coolant overflow loose
pcm loose in tray
I think that's all of the common ones.....