LOW PITCH RATTLE, CLUNK, &/OR SQUEAK NOISE. Chevrolet Malibu 1998

SUBJECT: LOW PITCH RATTLE, CLUNK AND/OR SQUEAK NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE DURING LOW SPEEDS (REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARMS OR INSTALL RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR)

MODELS: 1997-98 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997-98 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A LOW PITCH RATTLE, CLUNK AND/OR SQUEAK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING AND/OR DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 10-18 MPH, (16-29 KM/H). THIS NOISE CONDITION IS MOST APPARENT WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH/SPALLED CONCRETE, SHARP BUMPS OR BROKEN PAVEMENT. A SQUEAK NOISE MAY ALSO BE PRESENT DURING FRONT END "JOUNCE" CONDITIONS.

CAUSE:

THIS CONDITION MAY BE DUE TO VIBRATIONS FROM THE SUSPENSION DAMPING THE ROUGH ROADS THAT ARE BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

CORRECTION:

UPON PROPER INSPECTION, PER THE PROCEDURE IN SECTION 3 - STEERING/ SUSPENSION DIAGNOSIS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL, ONE OF TWO CONDITIONS MAY EXIST:

1. FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE (RATTLE, CLUNK AND/OR SQUEAK) HEARD WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND/OR FRONT END "JOUNCE".

- REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, P/N 22606709 (LEFT) AND P/N 22606710 (RIGHT).

2. FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE (LOW PITCH RATTLE AND/OR CLUNK) HEARD WHILE TURNING.

- INSTALL A NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY, P/N 26073200.

IMPORTANT: THE NEW STEERING GEAR MAY RESULT IN A SLIGHT INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT WHILE PARKING.

IMPORTANT:

BEFORE CHANGING LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND/OR STEERING GEAR, EXHAUST ALL OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES OF THE NOISE, USING THE SERVICE MANUAL PROCEDURE. ALSO INSPECT FOR THE FOLLOWING:

- DAMAGED SUSPENSION COMPONENTS - WORN CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS - WORN STRUT DAMPENER OR MOUNTING - RACK BEARING PRELOAD (SEC: 3B1A8) - LOOSE STABILIZER SHAFT - LOOSE WHEEL NUTS OR COVERS - SPRING IMPROPERLY POSITIONED - LOOSE TIE ROD ENDS - LOOSE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOOT MISPOSITIONED - POWER STEERING HOSE OR LINE GROUNDING OUT

PARTS INFORMATION:

P/N DESCRIPTION =================== ===============================

26073200 KIT - STEERING GEAR 22606709 LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY - LH 22606710 LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY - RH

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: E9720 USE PUBLISHED LABOR OPERATION TIME.

FIGURES: 00

ATTACHMENTS: 00

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.