What are the causes of abnormal noises in the Malibu XL?
3 Answers
Malibu XL abnormal noise causes: 1. Brake noise: New cars may have abnormal brake sounds due to brand-new brake discs that still require breaking in. 2. Engine guard noise: After frequent driving, screws may become displaced. Besides tightening the screws, placing cardboard pads at the noise source can easily eliminate the sound. 3. Dashboard noise: This is mainly caused by resonance during idling, potentially due to plastic component interactions. Such noise typically appears or disappears with seasonal temperature changes and thermal expansion of plastic parts, generally not affecting daily safe driving.
My Malibu XL had previously experienced abnormal noises, mainly coming from the chassis. A creaking sound could be heard when going over speed bumps, and upon inspection, it was found that the rubber bushings of the front suspension's lower control arm had aged and cracked. This issue tends to appear after about three years of driving, especially if the car frequently travels on rough roads. Brake system noises are also quite common, particularly a sharp friction sound when starting the car cold, usually due to burrs on the edges of the brake pads or small stones stuck in them. Additionally, when the rubber hangers of the exhaust pipe age, they can produce a buzzing resonance sound at idle. Recently, I noticed that a lack of lubrication in the sunroof tracks can also cause squeaking noises. It's recommended to focus on inspecting these areas. The repair cost for aging suspension bushings is around five to six hundred, which is more cost-effective than replacing the entire suspension.
I've investigated the rattling issues in the Malibu XL several times. Besides mechanical components, the interior noises are particularly annoying. For instance, the plastic parts on the dashboard make subtle clicking sounds at the seams due to thermal expansion and contraction, especially when using the AC after being parked in the sun. Door panel rattles are mostly caused by loose screws on the window regulator bracket, resulting in creaking sounds when operating the windows. Also, improperly adjusted seatbelt buckles can knock against the B-pillar on bumpy roads. I've tried using silicone grease to lubricate the weatherstrips, which works well for eliminating squeaks when closing doors. Trunk noises usually come from unsecured tools - simply reorganizing them solves the problem. These minor issues can be fixed with DIY solutions: securing wire harnesses with 3M double-sided tape and applying felt tape to prevent friction - small investments that deliver big results.
