Suspension of steering issues, front end has a very loose feeling?

SATCOM909

MEMBER
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU
3.6L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
191,000 MILES

My car's front end has a very loose feeling when accelerating or hitting the brakes very hard. It feels like there’s a lot of play in my front end, almost like a wobble feeling. When I hit the gas, it feels like it rolls back and when I hit the brakes it rolls forward then stops. When I hit bumps the steering and front wheels have a loose feeling as if there’s way too much play in my wheels or front suspension somewhere. When I hit bumps the front end will rattle and wobble and just feel loose. Even on such small bumps in the road. It feels as time goes on it’s just getting worse.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,706 POSTS

Hi,

If you bounce the front of the vehicle by hand, how many bounces does it take for it to stop? It should stop within three bounces. Based on your description, the shocks sound like they need to be replaced.

Next, if you can, safely lift one front wheel from the ground at a time. Place your hands at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Try wiggling the wheel left and right quickly to determine if there is play in the tie rods. Next, place your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and do the same up and down to check for play in the ball joints.

Try that and let me know what you find. Additionally, take a look at this link. I feel it may help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Let me know.

Joe