[eshbaum]

Ive been having some issues with my malibu, 2011 LS model, Including very loud noises when driving over any bumps and an intermittent grinding noise, all from the front driverside wheel. My local mechanic said that its a bad control arm, but I couldnt find anything about the grinding noise being associated with that and he just said that after we fix the control arm if it doesnt go away he'll look at the brake system.

I changed the pads about 2 maybe 3 months ago so i know its not those causing it, and I dont have any vibration in my steering wheel. I only get the grinding sometimes when Im slowing and stopping, and also when turning slow, like in a parking lot. I havent had a chance to remove the wheel to check the rotor and caliper fully, but from what I can see of the rotor there isnt any visible damage/rust. Any suggestions of what could be causing this and what I should check out, I'm taking it to the mechanic friday to have the control arm problem fixed and would like to get it all done in one go. Thanks for any help

 

[DrivenDaily]

Sounds a lot like a wheel bearing, but could be the disc brake dust shield or a CV joint, depending on the sound.

Replacing only the pads may be just fine, but if the rotors were grooved from the previous pads and other things, like small stones, etc, then the noise could be a direct result of braking.

 

[eshbaum]

Sounds a lot like a wheel bearing, but could be the disc brake dust shield or a CV joint, depending on the sound.

Replacing only the pads may be just fine, but if the rotors were grooved from the previous pads and other things, like small stones, etc, then the noise could be a direct result of braking.

I thought the wheel bearing too but read that the sound usually get louder the faster you go when its that, My problem only happens when braking at low speeds, and even then its only intermittently. Havent checked the cv joint so ill look at that while im doing all this, and when I did change my brakes it was in the desert and I was on sand so its possible some little rocks couldve got up in there so ill jack it up and check that out in the morning

Edit: Actually I just realized that I took a bunch of pictures from behind my tire and got a few of the cv joint and it looks intact and clean, I dont see any cracking

 

[eshbaum]

Found the problem today when I lifted the car. One of the caliper bolts is gone so the caliper was grinding on the rotor. Luckily I haven't driven or much at all since this stated so there isn't any damage

 

[cp-the-nerd]

Wow, don't go to your local mechanic anymore. "We'll look at the brakes after we change this perfectly good CV joint."

 

[eshbaum]

My mechanic is gonna change the control arm, I checked it today and made sure it does need to be replaced, the ball joint looks horrible and one of the bushings is almost completely gone. He never mentioned the cv joint, it was just something I needed to check

 

[SilverSport]

sounds like you have the issue solved...great news

Bill