[ectar]

Dealer suggested to replace both control arms... but I don't believe him (Malibu MAXX 2005)

So here is the story:

I noticed that my steering a bit of centered... I went to the dealer and asked to do alignment, they call me back and made me happy saying you need to replace both from control arms in order to proceed with alignment and it will cost you 1000$+TAX (CAD) and the reason is right one has loose ball joint, left has bushing torn ....

Wow.... what a surprise, I've canceled all that.... when I got my car back I rise my car and when wheel was off the ground grabbed it and tried to rock it left-to-right... then top-to-bottom.... when I did left to right rocking I noticed some dull "cling" noise I suspect this was the a tie rod and steering thing... because when car on parking and I spinning st wheel left-right quickly I have similar noise.....

Then I removed left wheel and examined all what I can see around. Tried to rock tie rods, control arm (impossible to move at all, it is dead on)... what I notice though I can move by hands that big bar which comes from left to right sides... (stabilizer ?) I suspect this thing rattles when I go over potholes...

Didn't see any torn bushings on control arm, didn't see torn ball joint rubber... but could check ball joint movements because it constantly loaded by spring.

May be if I have time I will check left side as well.... to see what is going on with bushings.

Any advise on that? What other test I can do to localize the problem if it exists?

PS. I hope I've explained the story well enough with my so-so English grammar.

 

[cavalier2000]

yea go somewhere else and see what they say.

 

[jforte27]

While driving have you noticed any steering wander or knocking? If so you may also want to check with another dealer about steering and suspension issues know for this car. The 05 and 06 models are plagued with front end issues. I've changed out 2 whole steering racks and 3 intermediate steering shafts. Still I have a steering knock. I have also encountered a warped coil over cover on the left side and had to change on my struts and springs as the left side was damaged beyond repair.

 

[ectar]

Actually I faced 2 problems:
#1 - constrols ar were actually done, but not that bad as they explained - I was able to drive for about a year after their estimate, and ordered them from Rock Auto and got them replaced for 160 of labour
#2 - steering rack has issues, it is loose at the right side, because sime kinda washer thing inside steering shaft got loose and knocking on turns, remedie - replace whole control arm, but again why not just replace washer ? Lookslike they are lazy bustards whatewer..... still drives well.