You are here: Forums Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu: Steering/Suspension

Chevrolet Malibu: Steering/Suspension

156 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 6:37 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Malibu SS, Steering, Suspension, Sedan

Messages Page 15 of 16 1 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#136 of 156 Re: power steering fuse? [gindelm7] by malexbu Oct 19, 2009 (5:03 pm)
Replying to: gindelm7 (Oct 16, 2009 1:05 pm) Pages #5-88, 5-89 in your user manual: engine compartment fuse block, the large standalone fuse at one end (#41 -- electric power steering.)
#137 of 156 Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions by eileen7 Oct 22, 2009 (1:21 pm)
Just want to log in here that my 04 Malibu also has had steering problems. First took it to the dealer because the "power steering" DIC light came on in August 08 (46,000 miles) They recommended I replace the steering column (my own expense of course) at about $600. I went for the less expenive ($228) replacement of intermediate steering shaft, since the car had no problem with steering except that check power steering light had come on. A year later, 9/9/09 (56,000 miles), the power steering stopped working while I was driving it. Yikes! Scary. This time I had the steering column replaced ($686). So far, no problems with steering, but it's only been two months. I asked for a review by Chevy at their 800 number. After several weeks, they told me tough luck, as it was out of warranty. No apology. No acceptance of poor engineering, etc. I asked them if it was normal to expect that the steering column would go out on their cars at 45,000 miles. No response. Chevy has lost another customer -- I did love the Malibu until I discovered that mine is a lemon. Replies to this message: e_net_rider (Oct 22, 2009 2:53 pm) gonogo (Oct 23, 2009 9:06 am) e_net_rider (Oct 24, 2009 2:53 am) pao (Oct 25, 2009 9:42 am) e_net_rider (Oct 30, 2009 6:32 am) eileen7 (Oct 31, 2009 11:31 am)
#138 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [eileen7] by e_net_rider Oct 22, 2009 (2:53 pm)
Replying to: eileen7 (Oct 22, 2009 1:21 pm) Are you sure of the parts? Have they gone to some weird design? Traditionally, power steering has nothing to do with the steering column. The column is usually just mechanical shaft with maybe a U-joint or two connecting to the rack and pinion with power steering built into it or in the older units steering gear box with power steering in it. Replies to this message: gonogo (Oct 23, 2009 9:06 am)
#139 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [e_net_rider] by gonogo Oct 23, 2009 (9:06 am)
Replying to: e_net_rider (Oct 22, 2009 2:53 pm) The 04 Malibu has ESP, Electronic Power Steering. The torque sensor is the usual problem, only fix is replace column.
#140 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [eileen7] by e_net_rider Oct 24, 2009 (2:53 am)
Replying to: eileen7 (Oct 22, 2009 1:21 pm) I would definitely report or make a complaint to NHTSA and hang on to receipts. I would think that loss of power steering would be a safety issue and they may force a recall getting you reimbursed. Years ago, to absorb vibration, etc. they used a disk of rubber with several layers of cord in it. At two points on the circumference, 180 degrees apart, it was fastened to one section of the shaft, the other two points in between were fastened to the abutting shaft, and it transferred motion from one to the other. Somewhere in the changes to collapsable columns, Ford used an insufficient design where this was done inside where the sections of shaft (square) slid over the other. To absorb and keep shaft tight they used feathered edges of teflon/plastic at the corners. (on later models of Taurus) Those thin edges of plastic break off after some time and allow slop in steering wheel. So, Chevrolet has come up with what sounds like a stupid idea. I personally see no reason they could not put the electrical pickup portion next to the column, rather than build into. (I am taking a stab in the dark since I don't have details of design) And even if the sensor needed to be around the column, no reason to not remove it by slipping off one end.
#141 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [eileen7] by pao Oct 25, 2009 (9:42 am)
Replying to: eileen7 (Oct 22, 2009 1:21 pm) the electronic steering is a notorious weak point in the 04 Malibu's..it is a documented problem and has been raised at the highway safety admin website....I would ask the BBB to get involved and start an arbitration filing with them...   seems you either have the problem or not....mine is 6 years old..155K on it and no problems at all Replies to this message: e_net_rider (Oct 30, 2009 6:32 am) eileen7 (Oct 31, 2009 11:31 am)
#142 of 156 Noise in Rear during Cool Weather by chevsharon Oct 28, 2009 (5:21 pm)
I am experiencing a squeaking noise in the rear of my 2005 Malibu - it only occurs when the outside temperature is below 50 degrees or so and it is dry outside. It is very loud and seems to be in the suspension as it creeks and squeaks when going over any little bump. Any ideas? Replies to this message: malexbu (Oct 29, 2009 4:07 am)
#143 of 156 Re: Noise in Rear during Cool Weather [chevsharon] by malexbu Oct 29, 2009 (4:07 am)
Replying to: chevsharon (Oct 28, 2009 5:21 pm) One of my 2005 Base Sedans has the same issue (with the cold-weather trigger).   It had it right from the beginning, in the winter of 2005-2006. After the car was slightly rear-ended in the fall of 2006, and its rear bumper had to be taken off and put back for repainting, the noise got more pronounced, happening always in cold weather.   I looked carefully at both my 2005 Sedans to understand the cause. The plastic parts at the rear feel noticeably looser on the problem car. This, in combination with the "bumper effect" leads me to believe that the source of the noise are some plastic body parts rubbing against each other.   Haven't heard the noise this fall yet, and when/if it starts, I'll probably spray some lubricant over the close-to-the-bumper plastic body parts and see what happens.
#144 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [pao] by e_net_rider Oct 30, 2009 (6:32 am)
Replying to: pao (Oct 25, 2009 9:42 am) Interesting and I'd like to know more regarding this.   This caught my eye because of my run on I-95. In addition to the tires not behaving as expected, I feel play in the steering wheel. That is "some movement" before the vehicle starts to respond. The type of play you'd get if you had a bad steering column, worn steering rack or gear box, bad tie rod ends, etc. Also, annoying that with a crown in the road it takes more effort to hold the vehicle straight than I'd expect. This could be tires, alignment, or a really weak power steering. Replies to this message: eileen7 (Oct 31, 2009 11:31 am)
#145 of 156 Re: Another 04 Malibu LS with steering malfunctions [e_net_rider] by eileen7 Oct 31, 2009 (11:31 am)
Replying to: e_net_rider (Oct 30, 2009 6:32 am) Replying to your request for more information. The dash console showed "power steering" for about two years before I finally had the steering column replaced, since there did not seem to be any problem with the steering, though the light came on quite often. The dealer said it was a faulty sensor and there was nothing wrong with the steering, but he recommended I replace it. Well, for a $700 decision, I needed more reason than that to say yes. Then, about 18-24 months later, the power steering stopped working while I was driving the car. I could still steer, but not with power. No choice then, but to spend the money. No one at the dealership nor at Cheverlot's support service number would admit to me that it was not acceptable to have a car with about $50,000 miles need a new steering column. I loved that Malibu until this happened, but now I'm steering away from them!

Messages Page 15 of 16 1 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu: Steering/Suspension