[rf overlord]

'98 Malibu 3.1L automatic. 34,000 miles (Yes, that's right )

I know troubleshooting a noise over the internet is dang near impossible, but I was wondering if this car has a known or common issue that would give me a good place to start. There isn't any vibration or other indication of anything wrong, just what I wrote in the title.

 

[HoosierRon]

My vote is a ball joint.

 

[Silver LTZ]

CV axle? Check for rips in the boots?

 

[Starship]

In addition, there were one recall and two TSBs (one revising an earliler one) that may be of interest:

http://cid-54465800aad91b49.office.live.com/self.aspx/pub/Recall^_03062.pdf
http://cid-54465800aad91b49.office.live.com/self.aspx/pub/TSB^_73-32-10.pdf
http://cid-54465800aad91b49.office.live.com/self.aspx/pub/TSB^_01-03-08-002B.pdf

 

[rf overlord]

Thanks for the info, Starship...the TSBs especially should be helpful. At least they give me some things I can try before telling her to take it to a professional.

One more question...since my niece is the 3rd owner, and the previous owner has passed away, I don't know if the recall was ever performed. If it hasn't been, will they still do it this many years later?

 

[Starship]

I'm not sure if there's a time limit on a safety recall. Call the CAC number (will probably request the VIN)?

 

[Silver LTZ]

I'm not sure if there's a time limit on a safety recall. Call the CAC number (will probably request the VIN)?

No limits on recalls. It can be 20 years later. But you posted TSB's. They do not have to fix that for free from day one.

 

[rf overlord]

I know the difference between TSBs and recalls, but I've never owned a car that had a recall so I didn't know whether they "expired".