[poynterandy]

2008 Malibu Classic LS with 128K Miles on it. 4 Cyl 2.2L.
- I have been having some recurring issues on my wifes vehicle. Started with a super loose steering wheel that would turn way too easily along with clunking and popping noises when turning the steering wheel to the left. Checked both tie rod ends on the vehicle and found both to be extremely loose and I could turn them side to side with my hand. Replaced both front tie rod ends. It now seems I have taken care of the "loose" feeling steering wheel, however the clunking and popping noises remain. This was last week, I had plans on taking another look this upcoming weekend to try and find the clunking noise. Earlier today my wife was driving and when making a left turn she said the steering wheel completely locked up on her. She turned the car off, then turning it back on and it went away. The same thing happened a few more times during turns before she made it home. The car is now going to sit until I can make it safe for her to drive again. I've been googling and youtube video searching for hours now and cant seem to find a definitive answer. Google seems to suggest it could be power steering issue, however the 08 classic has a hydraulic power steering system so there isnt a need for fluid. So i've now moved on to thinking it could possibly be a CV axle issue? The only thing holding me back on ordering parts right now is the lack of any noticeable damage. No grease or fluids being leaked around the CV axle or any of the steering components for that matter on either passenger or driver side fronts. Tie rod ends are tight since they've been replaced as well. So im stumped.. What could be causing the steering to lock occasionally as well as loud clunks and pops when turning the steering wheel to the left?

edit* CV axle boots are all intact, no visual rips or defects on any of the boots...

 

[Darthz]

I just did my outter tie rods aswell. Some of that clunking ,etc could be the sway bar end links. It doesnt affect the handling really...just annoying. But easy to check. Crank the wheel all the way left or right.... and grab that big skinny vertical rod ..... it shouldnt have any play on it.

As far as steering locking up. There should be a message popping up saying power steering. Well in my 06 ot does anyways. I had that issue.... pulled over shut off car....and all was good. This happened to me in minus 32 deg weather though. My 06 had a recall on the steering system...not sure if yours did...but my issue still happened after the "fix" was done

 

[Calikoul]

Hey so I have had my 08 malibu since 2015 and I just found this issue yesterday as I was tinkering away with my car and I think I've found the answer at least in my case this was the issue.

If you look down by your pedals behind them is the interm shaft, to access it remove 2 7mm bolts holding the plastic cover.

Once that is done follow the interm shaft up and try shaking it to replicate the sound you are having. If its the same as my case the interm shaft knuckle where it meets the column has become loose so tighten that up as much as you can.

When I did this for my car the steering is like new again, just replaced the entire front end myself for the problem to be a loose bolt lol.

Let me know if problem persists. Cheers!

 

[DrivenDaily]

@Calikoul
Thanks for coming along and sharing that. 2008 was a year that GM sold both the old Gen6 body style and the new Gen7. The Gen6 was called the Malibu Classic and the Gen7 was just simply the Malibu.

Which is yours?

I ask because if it's the Gen7, then it looks like maybe the fix from one generation can apply to another. That's hopeful news for some!

 

[Calikoul]

I drive a 2008 LT 2.4 with about 158000km on it replaced everything I was told could have been causing the steering clunking and it was still there.
Did my rear shocks yesterday and as I was just sort of "thinkering" away inspecting my steering I found that the interm shaft was loose where it connects to the column, so loose it would have come off if it had the room to.

So I got in there seated the interm shaft on the column tightened the heck out of it and it feels like a brand new car no play and no poping clunk or rattling.

Now all I have to do is a new exhaust system and transmission maintenance and the car will feel like it did in 08, oh and tires.

I do all the work to the car myself.

 

[sunbiz1]

The clunking/knocking sound could be the U-joint located in the intermediate steering shaft; which is too small of a part for said application.
The OEM part was recalled, and replaced w/the same problematic part; made by the same manufacturer.
According to my mechanic, it won't break; but is annoying.
I've considered replacing it again, as the AC Delco OEM is garbage; rock auto has 2 aftermarkets that might work better.

 

[Somerton09]

2008 Malibu Classic LS with 128K Miles on it. 4 Cyl 2.2L.
- I have been having some recurring issues on my wifes vehicle. Started with a super loose steering wheel that would turn way too easily along with clunking and popping noises when turning the steering wheel to the left. Checked both tie rod ends on the vehicle and found both to be extremely loose and I could turn them side to side with my hand. Replaced both front tie rod ends. It now seems I have taken care of the "loose" feeling steering wheel, however the clunking and popping noises remain. This was last week, I had plans on taking another look this upcoming weekend to try and find the clunking noise. Earlier today my wife was driving and when making a left turn she said the steering wheel completely locked up on her. She turned the car off, then turning it back on and it went away. The same thing happened a few more times during turns before she made it home. The car is now going to sit until I can make it safe for her to drive again. I've been googling and youtube video searching for hours now and cant seem to find a definitive answer. Google seems to suggest it could be power steering issue, however the 08 classic has a hydraulic power steering system so there isnt a need for fluid. So i've now moved on to thinking it could possibly be a CV axle issue? The only thing holding me back on ordering parts right now is the lack of any noticeable damage. No grease or fluids being leaked around the CV axle or any of the steering components for that matter on either passenger or driver side fronts. Tie rod ends are tight since they've been replaced as well. So im stumped.. What could be causing the steering to lock occasionally as well as loud clunks and pops when turning the steering wheel to the left?

edit* CV axle boots are all intact, no visual rips or defects on any of the boots...

I have a similar issue
I just purchased this car it’s a 2008 chevalier Malibu
Issue only thing that changes is it has a
SOUND LIKE A JOINT POPING OR CLUNK
* when I turn either left or right. . This only occurs ....*
*1time per turn ...? *
malls the feeling is in the sterling wheel to me ,
As my grandfather owns and father Been a mechanic for 40 years
(Geralds Ultamar )glace bay,Cape Breton Nova Scotia
I want advice to do my own work if I can.. so I can show I can help
..or should I get my father? to put the Malibu on the computer?he said he would anyway... but I wanted to find solutions until then as he helped me buy it ..
They did a appraisal on it for me .. it was and passed inspection which was good..
This sound started a few days after purchase and I feel bad
There is a new motor in it only 149572 k
Other then that one noise the car is perfect!
It drives great works great ... but that 1 (clunk/deep pop/ shoulder blade pop I get the feeling the noise sounds like lol
Noise is key to a experienced mechanic !!!
Even turning the wheel slowly there is that clunk/joint pop deeply and I feel it in the wheel slightly
There is the odd time it does not but it’s 1 in a 100 turns which I can not diagnose lol
My light ((*SVC .. something on the dash also a icon light under or beside the engine light would be at .. hope this information helps someone to help me lol
I was thinking it was the axel ... but the questions I’ve asked and some answers I’ve received are all different from backyard work friends. .. also was told could be ball joints ,drive shaft . Barrings..
like I said turn left or right at a stop .... and I hear and feel a shoulder like pop clunk noise .. only once roughly in the middle of the turn or say at a 40to 35 degree when it happens
What makes me confused is it doesn’t do it when I make the turn and straighten the wheel?

 

[Darthz]

Its best to male you own post instead of tacking o to one years old....

Could be a few things.... cv joint.... isssue with steering system. Or possibly a busted coil spring.... even the bearings in top of the strut could be bad. ... its not a hard thing for a mechanic to diagnose

 

[LA KING]

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago I was coming around and left turn and my steering wheel locked up and I could not get it to come back during the turn as the roads straighted out I ended up having a wreck because of the steering wheel locking I own a 2008 Malibu 2.4cd LT what do I do and how do I fix it?

 

[Somerton09]

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago I was coming around and left turn and my steering wheel locked up and I could not get it to come back during the turn as the roads straighted out I ended up having a wreck because of the steering wheel locking I own a 2008 Malibu 2.4cd LT what do I do and how do I fix it?

I AM SO GLAD YOU and your family are ok.
my malibu is simular... but when i turn i found and realized the clunk is when i am just turning my wheel back after the turn.
regardless of the left or right turn it does the same
my family own geralds ultamar in glace bay nova scotia , my father is a mechanic and will now put on the computer for a solution along with a overview of this ongoing issue
from most feedback and ideas i read , most are so simular... besides the lock which the wheel does lock when i start in park the od time like a wheel lock .. i hope its not part of the issue.. as it prob will be,,, safety first ..
i will update this week with a read from a computer hooked up to my malibu 2008 thanks for supporting..
please help eachother resolve the issue to save lives and any dangers

 

[campb292]

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago I was coming around and left turn and my steering wheel locked up and I could not get it to come back during the turn as the roads straighted out I ended up having a wreck because of the steering wheel locking I own a 2008 Malibu 2.4cd LT what do I do and how do I fix it?

If you had a wreck there will likely be no way to figure out what was previously broken vs what is broken as a result of the wreck. Wreck damage would be fixed by a collision shop and insurance claim if the car had any value. The wreck would have to be very minor to not total a 2008. Glad everyone was ok.