[normanst]

When I open the hood of my 2010 4 cyl Malibu and look straight down, directly behind the radiator, to the left of the front engine mount, there is a device mounted to the front crossmember. It looks like a cast iron weight, cushioned from it's mounting bracket with rubber grommets. does anyone know what it is and it's purpose?

 

[RaineMan]

Pics would be helpful.

 

[normanst]

Rainman I would love to give you pictures but I'm probably the only person left in the world without a camera, digital or film.I Assume your 09 doesn't have this gadget.

 

[DrivenDaily]

It's a doo-flingy for a goose waddle. To remove it you'll need a left-hand spiral-tapered flute reamer and a doomerhickey.

 

[chevyguy8893]

It's a standard government tracking device, owners aren't supposed to find them.

Does it have any numbers or labels that might help? The only thing I can think of that is sometimes mounted in that area is the air pump.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Sounds like one of the engine mounts to me.

 

[tygriff]

Engine mount to absorb engine vibration.

 

[Starship]

Okay, you all made me look (behind ). I think it's the vibration dampener normanst is worried about. See http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3098.

 

[normanst]

Thanks Starship, That link explains it. A mass damper to cancel out engine vibrations. Strange that they couldn't incorporate that function into the engine mount itself. What with hydraulic mounts getting more common all the time.

 

[Starship]

I suppose it's a lot cheaper and more reliable this way. BTW, only 2.4L comes with it and thus v6 guys have no idea what we are looking at.

 

[ChicagoMalibu2009]

Yes, different frequencies can be a bear to try and cancel if thats what it's effectively doing through the frame. I hope they account all the way up to the redline, not that I'm pushing it up there but I hope thats engineered in.

Ever since 70 wasn't a normal operating speed from one dealer(a different thread/member had this issue with a problem only occuring over 65ish MPH), to all the gruff I've gotten from my last two dealers, you never know what they are engineering for on the GM side too. Oh, technology.