Had the steering gear replaced under warranty back in February, now it's July and the thump is back. Was told by local GM dealership that I'd need to pay ~$100 diagnostic fee to figure out what it is, and then IF it was the steering gear I'd have to take it up with GM customer service to try and get the repair & diagnosis done for free. Before I go that route I've found TSB #060232007, we'll see if lubing the steering shaft gets me anywhere. Aggravating, to say the least
I brought car into dealer 3rd time for clunk on every turn. Suddenly they want me to pay for a steering column because it is past warranty. We are still 'discussing" this. I will not pay for something seen by them 3 times already. I told them that this is why they went bankrupt and next time I buy a Ford.
Update from Jul 16, 2009: My dealer gave me a loaner, replaced the intermittant steering and the steering column free of charge. The funny thing with all of this, the 2004 Malibu they loaned me had the same clunk!! My car is perfect today. I have 12,000 miles or 12 months to bring it back. Eagle Chevrolet in Johnstown ny gave me great service today.
there is a clunking noise in the steering wheel when making turns either left or right and when backing up when you go to turn your steering wheel the direction you plan to proceed to you will hear it as well. I went in a month ago to have it replaced (part on order) because I had worked at the chevy dealership and saw this same problems many times in 2003-2007 chevy silverados. I knew when it first started happening it was the intermediate steering shaft however got it to the dealership and could not get it to duplicate. So I took the service manager for a ride and it wasn't until the back up and driving forward did it occur so he was able to hear it and agree it was the intermediate steering shaft that needed replacement so the part was put on order. Should be getting installed tomorrow however had a different malfunction today so the car is already at the dealership (see brakes) my malibu ss is truly a great car but only having a little over 12k miles on it and owning it just shy from 3 years I am little worried about it?! All I can say it thank goodness all this just started happening cause its 18 june 2009 and my base warranty goes out 5 july 2009 calling it really close might have to go trade it in soon?
I had a thumping noise when I turned the wheel either way - mainly turning out of a parking spot or a 90 degree turn down a road. I took it into the dealer and they covered it under the warranty (actually the car was no longer under warranty, but they covered the parts and I paid the labor). The repair bill says "Steering Shaft R+R Steering Shaft to Lube, Noisy." Problem is gone now.
- 06malibu,
Troy, MI, US
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I love my 2006 Chevy Malibu but I really hate this noise that it is making everytime I turn the wheel, and I really feel unsafe driving it. I have three grandsons that I take everywhere with me and now we are stuck home during the great weather. I am not sure what the problem is but I will be taking it in on tuesday this week to have it checked.. And like most of us I too cannot afford a hefty bill to fix my car. Stuck in NY
I have a problem that has not been resolved yet with my steering on my Malibu. I am going to have it looked at next week. I will let you know how much I am pissed off then.
i bought a 2006 Chevy Malibu and had to have the rack and pinion steering fixed twice!! I have a feeling it is going to be a recurring problem and i am very pissed off with Chevrolet for not standing behind their vehicles!! I will NEVER buy a Chevy again!!!!!!!!!
Ok, so this started Jan 2007. Took it to the dealer they replaced the gear assembly. Came back again Sept 2007 because it did it again. The "adjusted it". So it began again recently. Of course the warranty is up but it is the same problem. So I take it back to the dealer to fix it because the should have fixed it in Sept instead of "adjusting it". They want $600 to do it. They refuse to acknowledge that it was their screw up.I rant and rave, get no help. I called the GM hotline and filed a claim. They were useless!! They say its not their problem because it was just adjusted in Sept not replaced. Well thats the problem, DUH! so once again Im screwed by GM. The sad thing is I have family that owns GM car dealerships in CA! I refuse to ever by another GM product. I will by foreign from now on. At least they are reliable.
I purchased this car used with 35k miles from a local dealer and noticed the problem shortly after the purchase. At first I didn't really notice the knock/thump, but then as I turned down the radio and started listening, it was more and more noticeable. It happens just as I start turning the steering wheel either direction, there is a single thump under the hood. If I turn it slightly back and forth it seems to get worse. I haven't had the problem checked out yet, but I will make sure to post the cost of the repair once I get an estimate.
I heard a couple of people saying they got this problem fixed for free, how do you go about that? Did you purchase the car from the dealer and then take it back and complain or what?
The whole front end was making rumbling noises whenever it was driven over any type
of bump in the roadway. The dealer said the tie-rod was worn out, steering gear, front struts was all bad. This is pathetic with so few miles and easy highway miles. Pure junk.
It's like a minor knock or clunk -defies onomatopoeia. Dealer wanted $305 to fix. I said I can live with it and paid for brakes all around. Handler said she called Chevy and they would pay for it. Being nice / pathetic kinda paid off? or did they try to get away with $305 for their recall? Only the shadow knows.
My steering wheel is making a poppin noise when you turn the steering wheel both ways and it is very annoying and the dealership is not helping me with it i am very upset. I was told there are recalls on this and i haven't had it fixed and cannot afford it! help!!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Had the steering gear replaced under warranty back in February, now it's July and the thump is back. Was told by local GM dealership that I'd need to pay ~$100 diagnostic fee to figure out what it is, and then IF it was the steering gear I'd have to take it up with GM customer service to try and get the repair & diagnosis done for free. Before I go that route I've found TSB #060232007, we'll see if lubing the steering shaft gets me anywhere. Aggravating, to say the least
- Greg S., Eldridg, IA, US