[closer9]

I've just started noticing this over the last week or two. Doesn't seem to do it all the time, but it's pretty predictable about when it happens. I seem to notice it more in the afternoons leaving work, but sometimes in the morning going to work. It happens about a mile or so after driving. Both mornings and evenings it happens just as I'm pulling away from the second stop sign. It comes from the rear and sounds like a light hammer tap on the frame... Not sure how else to describe it.

Just thought I'd see if anyone else had heard of this before digging any deeper. Not seven sure where to begin. My first thought was maybe the parking brake cable not fully releasing. Yes, I always using the parking brake. Even on when parking on a flat surface.

Car has almost 30k miles on it now.

 

[elcompaLalo]

Spare tire or jack maybe? Good place to check first.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Exhaust system. Rear suspension/shocks. Those are where I would start looking. Post what you find and we'll see if we can help more.

 

[ChicagoMalibu2009]

I have had the parking brake fully release a few times about halfway down the driveway and make a click, but that was after being parked for a while and when it was cold/im driving slowly anyways. Cars make funny noises in the extreme cold though.

This is year round? It may be that the parking brake isn't seated up, or that the muffler/cat cover are not seated properly and click once they get to a certain temp. I'd say something regarding expansion due to temp is likely, or something in the braking system. Especially if it happens every day.

Don't use the parking brake for a week and see if it happens (pull against a brick/place one on the other side once settled if you're concerned)

 

[greenman]

Mother-in-law in trunk?

 

[Chad]

Check this thread. http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5532

 

[DrivenDaily]

mother-in-law in trunk?

lol!

 

[closer9]

Thanks, but that link doesn't really sound like my problem. I have a pretty good feeling it's the parking brake. I don't always hear it, but it's always just once, from the rear of the car, and about a mile down the road. One of these days I'll check the rear brakes, and see if it looks like it's sticking...

 

[DrivenDaily]

I had something new happen the other day and this makes me think of it. I had a thin piece of folded carpet setting on top of the spare tire and it held the trunk "floor" panel up a bit. I used it and didn't put it back yet. When I drove over a speed bump I noticed a slight "wump" sound from the rear. I think it might be this floor panel bending under the small load, thumping the spare, and sounding kinda like a dull thud on a drum. I'll keep listening.

I heard it every once in a while with my '09 but never worried about it, and I'm not worried now but paying attention.

 

[Speedster]

My 2009 LS has a problem that I would describe similar to yours. I took it to the dealer and the techs agreed it made a "clunk" or "thud" sound once in a while. They were stumped and could not diagnose the problem.

 

[Dullahan]

It could be fuel in the tank sloshing back and forth. I noticed this in my new 2010 Malibu and it will make a thud noise. Just a thought