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Chevrolet Malibu Steering/Suspension

236 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 11:18 AM

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

    
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Messages Page 21 of 24

#196 of 236 Re: Malibu Steering - Recall by GM? [e_net_rider] by ivy12

Jan 01, 2011 (10:54 am)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Mar 02, 2010 6:48 pm)
i bought a 2004 chevy malibu lt used and it was not disclosed there was an issue with the power steering or that this model had an experimental new prototype unit. approximately 3 months after buying the car the steering went out while driving and i almost hit another car on the highway. after turning off the car and restarting the power steering came back. this is now ocurring more often.. tried to find if recall had been issued for this, but no luck any help would be appreciated

#197 of 236 Re: Malibu Steering - Recall by GM? [ivy12] by chevsharon

Jan 01, 2011 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: ivy12 (Jan 01, 2011 10:54 am)
I have a 2005 Chev Malibu and also had the power steering go out while driving down the highway. After compaining a lot to Chev. and also notifiying the NHTSB Chev. is now paying for the power steering to be fixed.
It sounds like they will pay for repairs to all for power steering issues. So, contact them - it is worth it.

#198 of 236 Re: Malibu Steering - Recall by GM? [chevsharon] by chevsharon

Jan 01, 2011 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: chevsharon (Jan 01, 2011 8:35 pm)
Also, in the issue of the power steering, I failed to mention that the entire steering column had to be replaced. As I said in my earlier post, Chev. has now reimbursed me for this.

#199 of 236 Power Steering Failures by pao

Jan 03, 2011 (6:33 am)

the steering column issues and the electronic assist power steering have been now weak points in the early year Malibu redesign...04-06....there was an engineering design review conducted by the NHTSA sometime around 05 I beleive looking into the issue...it went no further than the review based on GM handling all the issues under warranty...the issue now is the failures are still occuring outside the normal warranty period 3/36 or longer.....so what is GM doing now with the older model cars still on the road....it appears they are fixing them again.....but it is a push by the consumer in order to make it happen.....I noticed a recall mentioned.......is there one...or simply a TSB out for the issue?
I have been fortunate with my 04 Maxx LT......177K and still working with all the OEM parts to include the steering...........

#200 of 236 04 Malibu SCARY steering by photo_booth

Jan 11, 2011 (3:14 pm)

I have an 04 Malibu that has the steering issue that's been discussed here.
 
It started with the power steering warning in the radio screen. My dealer replaced the steering column at no charge but I ended up with issues after that. The cruise control and remote started won't work now and it is now doing the momentary hydroplaning in left hand curves.
 
I complained and they replaced it again but no improvement, perhaps even worse. Now they said they are done with it and for a fee they will evaluate the problem which is obviously not the steering column. I don't know how they can evaluate it since they swear they can't feel the pull to the left at all.
 
I hate this car! It rides like a wagon and I've put the best shocks,struts and tires available on it and now this. I think it's time for a trade in but I hate for someone else to get this thing. I feel like it is an accident waiting to happen and after reading the previous emails am sure it is dangerous.
 
I did tons of research before I bought this car in 2008 and couldn't find any complaints against it except that it was noisy with the sun roof open. I wish that was all that was wrong with it.

#201 of 236 Re: 04 Malibu SCARY steering [photo_booth] by e_net_rider

Jan 11, 2011 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: photo_booth (Jan 11, 2011 3:14 pm)
"I hate this car! It rides like a wagon and I've put the best shocks,struts and tires available on it and now this.
I think these alterations were your biggest mistake. You'd have to show me lots of data to prove that. I had 09 and was available in 4 levels. There were at least 2 different wheel sizes, 3 different strut/shocks, & a couple of different springs depending upon what level you bought. Buying the upper, LTZ, likely got you the stiffer shocks, lower profile & bigger wheels, and the heavier springs.
Buying aftermarket, a company may have several layers of shocks but will claim any one model will probably replace any of the 4 levels of Malibu available in 09. Also GM will hold a patent so you can only buy the exact OE from them. It would take a lot of trial and error to succeed at the desired change in handling/ride.
 
The power steering, EPS, is a different issue. I would encourage to prove it is related to current issues.
Did they damage some wiring that effect the remote start and cruise control? Maybe a loose connector, blown fuse, etc.? Service engine or codes?
"momentary hydroplaning in left hand curves" & "pull to the left" Would you elaborate on hydroplaning? Is the road perfectly flat when this occurs?
As to the pull, you should easily duplicate this for service writer. Just take him for a ride on perfectly flat road and turn loose of the wheel. There can be several causes for this issue, alignment, tires, or they forgot to finish the column replacement by doing the calibration and zeroing of the EPS. This is something that needs to be done also after every alignment and after all that strut work.
Hydroplaning is most often tracked to the tires you have on vehicle. Sometimes there are much better tires than OE, but you have to do your homework and research, especially what other owners of your car are experiencing with specific tires.
It sounds like you need to try to bring the car back to OE specs, alignment, tire size, tire pressure, etc.
If electronic components have been damaged, you might want to check if there are diodes at the harness connector for the cooling fans.

#202 of 236 Re: 04 Malibu SCARY steering [photo_booth] by gonogo

Jan 12, 2011 (9:09 am)

Replying to: photo_booth (Jan 11, 2011 3:14 pm)
When you googled no issues, hard to believe. First off 04 Z body first run, that is warning right there. That car will keep falling apart as you drive , don't ask how I know.

#203 of 236 Re: 04 Malibu SCARY steering [e_net_rider] by photo_booth

Jan 12, 2011 (10:08 am)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Jan 11, 2011 4:14 pm)
The "hydroplaning" isn't really hydroplaning, it just feels like it. It momentarily, less than a second, feels like you cannot steer. The steering doesn't lock up or get stiff, it just feels like you're not controlling it.
 
The pull to the left is immediately before that sensation. As Im driving at speeds higher than 40mph and go into a left hand bend in the road it feels like you've bumped a curb on the right of the car and are rebounded to the left, then the instantaneous loss of control. It does it on flat or highway inclines. Although we have serious hills where I live, I don't usually take those curves at speeds high enough to evaluate this. It has always recovered quickly but I'm fearful that it will happen at just the wrong instant and I'll end up in front of another vehicle.
 
The dealer did an alignment and calibration after installing the new steering column. I also took it to a mechanic after to see if it was truly aligned. It needed an adjustment but it didn't change anything as far as the steering control. The car drives perfectly straight when you let the steering wheel go.
 
I took the technician on a ride and he said he could feel it just going around street corners. That's crap because I can't feel it then. I told him exactly where to drive it on the highway to have it happen and he said it didn't. Passengers aren't able to feel it.
 
As for the shocks, struts and tires; I did all that long before this steering issue came up. I was just really dissatisfied with the ride and hoping to improve it. I don't think these items have anything to do with this steering. they are just one more annoyance with this car.
 
I bought the car certified used in Oct. 2008. My Mom liked the car so much she bought a 2007 in Jan of 09. I'm worried that her car will do the same thing.
My car now has 68,000 miles on it.

#204 of 236 Re: 04 Malibu SCARY steering [photo_booth] by e_net_rider

Jan 27, 2011 (6:29 am)

Replying to: photo_booth (Jan 12, 2011 10:08 am)
First, did you have this handling issue prior to all the part changes and particularly before the column change?
You may have the two part on handling I experienced. Something in the EPS was definitely defective and very dangerous.
The other part of it would through you from vehicle course suddenly. This was prevalent when crossing something longitudinal with vehicle travel. It could be as minor as the seam where two lanes merge or as a couple of others complained, where a slight elevation change took place. If you entered a construction zone where they were shifting lanes because of new paving, even at the reduced posted speed it was quite dangerous crossing those points. I had to slow an extra 15-20 MPH. One driver living in an area of bad roads came upon such with daily commutes because of road patching.
And I also frequently experienced lane drift.
All things that should have been fixed and uncertain how common issues are.
No one was able to fix my issues and car is gone. GM turned it loose on someone else and they located me because somehow a receipt got left in vehicle and she tracked me. She has handling complaints and they did not let her know it was a repurchase and she found out it was lemon after months of trying to get title.
If none of your problems showed up until after suspension changes, then it is easy to argue it is something you did. What proof do you have it existed prior?
If something particular after the column change, then you might have some control. I'd definitely report to NHTSA and keep up with there progress, but don't hold breath while they work it. Even if you get rid of car before finalized, you may get money for interim attempts at repairing.

Messages Page 21 of 24

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