My 97 malibu has popping noise in steering. Have replaced hub assemblies, sway bar bushing, link and rack and pinion with no success. Some may say I need to replace upper strut bearings or "U" joint, Pops at very low speed when turning wheel, sounds like right side, but hard to tell. Any suggestions? :banghead: Also, mechanic says tie-rode end and ball-joints are okay.

You may want to inspect the CV joint at the outer end of the right half-shaft.

You may want to inspect the CV joint at the outer end of the right half-shaft.

Thank you for the respond, I have checked the CV Joint boots for any sign of damages but I did not check outer end yet. The GM dealer shop technician test drive with me and said it is coming from somewhere in suspension because this is also happing when front tire hitting the driveway bump, but he said my car should bring in to the shop for pin point the problem, I have previously did this with MIDAS and they said it was bad steering rack.(with no success) By the way, this popping is not always happing but it is very annoying. Is anyone had similar experience?

I'm going to go with the strut mount on the right side. If it clicks once or twice when you turn the wheel that way while moving slowly then doesn't do it on successive turns in that direction it's probably that.

I also have a 97 Malibu that emits noise from the front end at low speeds. Does not seem to be a problem over 30mph. I notice it more w/ turning but also going straight over mildy rough roads. I would describe it as more of a clunk.

I have noted this sound since 1999-2000 time frame. Never being able to get a straight/definite answer I have never allowed anyone to tear it apart and look. It has not seemed to have gotten any worse over the years luckily.

My '96 monte did that.. I ended up tightening all the motor/trans mounts, subframe and swaybar mounts, and finally nailed when it tightened the steering rack bolts a little more. It was sliding back and forth in it's bolt holes..

My '96 monte did that.. I ended up tightening all the motor/trans mounts, subframe and swaybar mounts, and finally nailed when it tightened the steering rack bolts a little more. It was sliding back and forth in it's bolt holes..

Yes, my Haynes repair manual says check the steering rack mounting, but in my case I have changed the rack and pinion, so they should be tight.
Thank you for sharing.

I'm going to go with the strut mount on the right side. If it clicks once or twice when you turn the wheel that way while moving slowly then doesn't do it on successive turns in that direction it's probably that.

I am also suspecting strut mount. By the way, I have already spent few hundred dollars to fix this problem with no success. I really hope changing strut mount will fix the problem.
My dilemma is should I bring my car to the GM dealer Shop for 1~1 1/2 hr diagnostic again (I did this with MIDAS) or just change strut mount? Both will cost me about same labor cost except the parts. Beside, changing parts are at least good for extending my car life anyway.

I am also suspecting strut mount. By the way, I have already spent few hundred dollars to fix this problem with no success. I really hope change strut mount will fix the problem.
My dilemma is should I bring my car to GM dealer Shop for 1~1 1/2 hr diagnostic again (I did this with MIDAS) or just change strut mount? Both will cost me about same labor cost except the parts. Beside, changing parts are at least good for extending my car life anyway.

I believe your right with the upper strut mount, mine did the same thing. If your just sitting at a atop and turn the wheel and hear a series of clicks, thats what it is.

Now I have replaced upper strut mounts but this time instead of loud popping sound now I hear clicking sound when I go over the bump and steer car to left or right. I think my CV joint need to be replaced. Since my car is almost 9 years old many parts shows its ages.

If you live in an area with circles at the end of dead end streets. Try going both ways around circle a bad c-v joint will make a noise. Fairly hard not speeding.
If you pull a tire and push on the strut you should hear a noise if bad.

Thanks for reply, Strange thing is I barely hear clicking noise on flat road, I usually hear this noise when I am driving on uneven surfaced parking lot. I used to have a car with bad CV Axle and it makes very loud clicking sound every single time when I make left or right turn. Anyway, now only CV axle and ball joint are left to change, but in order to change those two parts together, I have to spend another $$$$ to my 9 years old car. Is bad ball joint make clicking sound as well?

Haynes says to drill a hole in each rivet. I use a small angle grinder and grind the head off against the ball joint then I use a punch and drive out the rivet. Buy a rebuilt axle from a parts store and you easily could do both on a day off from work.

anyone think to tell you that it might be the intermediate shaft needing lube? The light thumping you describe sounds an awful lot like that.

Haynes says to drill a hole in each rivet. I use a small angle grinder and grind the head off against the ball joint then I use a punch and drive out the rivet. Buy a rebuilt axle from a parts store and you easily could do both on a day off from work.

Wow, I have that same manual, but your method is very cool and easy. I do not have to buy ball joint remover. By the way, CV axle change may looks easy but I have to buy hub puller tool which is just one time use for me. I can rent that tool but I was so surprised that most bolts for the steering parts and strut are very hard to remove. I will just pay for 1 hour labor instead, but for the ball joint, I will try you method.

anyone think to tell you that it might be the intermediate shaft needing lube? The light thumping you describe sounds an awful lot like that.

Hi, thanks for your reply, by the way, where is this intermediate shaft located?

While I have replaced many small front wheel drive gm cv joints I never needed a hub puller. I replaced brakes on my wifes 1999 and the rotors came right off.
I have had to use a slide hammer to remove rotors on some hondas but not on a gm product. They are not needed for a lumna or monte carlo.
Just buy a rebuilt axle they are easy to change. But I use an impact wrench which saves time.
Normally a hub puller is used on some rear axles or a 4wd vehicle.

My 97 malibu has popping noise in steering. Have replaced hub assemblies, sway bar bushing, link and rack and pinion with no success. Some may say I need to replace upper strut bearings or "U" joint, Pops at very low speed when turning wheel, sounds like right side, but hard to tell. Any suggestions? :banghead: Also, mechanic says tie-rode end and ball-joints are okay.

I had the same problem with my 1998 Malibu. There was a recall on some of the models for the pinion. Mine had to have the steering rack replaced as well. You should check with GM to see if your car was one of them that had the recall. They told me that sometimes replacing the pinion bushing doesn't work. GM paid to fix mine. Good luck.