Driver side front end noise

Asked by Guru9DFH4S Nov 17, 2020 at 09:47 AM about the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 2LT Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Checking a friend's 2010 Cobalt for what he said was wheel shimmy when
braking. Took for a test drive and confirmed the shimmy but there's also
clunking sound and noticeable wheel jerk when applying brakes at low
speed or inching up in traffic. Pulled the wheel and looked at the brakes
which seem to be fairly new but did notice the driver side rotor was loose.
Removed the brakes to check function and reinstalled and test drove with
little to no resolution. Brought it back to house and stood and watched as the
driver slowly moved up the driveway while braking then releasing about 5 or
six times and each time the brakes were applied we can see the entire wheel
move maybe a couple of inches. Any idea on what this could be ?
Maybe wheel bearing, CV axle or something greater?? Thanks for reading!

3 Answers
3,240

Justin answered 3 years ago

Wheel bearing and cv axles are good ideas as they can cause the issue to, but might also check out the ball joints. Particularly for the tie rod ends....although it wouldn't hurt to check control arm ball joints also

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
18,255

munron answered 3 years ago

Its most likely the rear bushings on the lower control arm. That's about the only thing that would allow the wheel to visibly move back and forth like that. Jack the car up and use a big pry bar between the control arm and the frame to check for movement. I'm guessing there will be some. You can buy complete control arms with the new bushings already installed for not much more than buying the bushings alonw. Getting the bushings in and out is not that easy. I had all your symptoms with mine and they all went away when I replaced those bushings. Very common problem on these cars.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
3,240

Justin answered 3 years ago

Considering it's when braking might check the front lower control arm bushing also....front of tire turns in I'm guessing?

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Driver side front end noise 3 Answers

    Checking a friend's 2010 Cobalt for what he said was wheel shimmy when braking. Took for a test drive and confirmed the shimmy but there's also clunking sound and noticeable wheel jerk when applying...

    2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 2LT Sedan FWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Loud roaring noise from front end driving above 20 mph 7 Answers

    I have a 2008 cobalt, 5-speed. It also is making loud noise when driving above 20mph. I took both front wheels off and run the engine with the car in 5th gear spinning both front rotors. It was maki...

    2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 09 Cobalt-Front-end... 20 Answers

    So, here is the low down of whats going on... I have a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LT2 Coupe... I have taken it to my local dealer to have the front end looked at MULTIPLE times due to an unexplained noise....

    2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 2LT Coupe FWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Front End Alignment 6 Answers

    09' Cobalt LT XFE Coupe I have several problems with the front end alignment in the past. Just balanced all four tires and now the car is pulling to the left while driving. nothing else was touched w...

    2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 1LT XFE Coupe FWD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • 2009 chevy cobalt after i hit a bump few months wobblin 3new tires stopped driver side makin tappin noise no new tire 1 Answer

    Driver side makin noise after i hit a bump it was wobblin but i changed 3 tires except that one few months it started making tappin noise not when u turn goin forward

    Chevrolet Cobalt

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Cobalt

Looking for a Used Cobalt in your area?

CarGurus has 13 nationwide Cobalt listings starting at $1,995.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Chevrolet Cobalt Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,130
  • #2
    John Carson
    Reputation
    2,270
  • #3
    MoGo
    Reputation
    1,980
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Cruze
65 Great Deals out of 1,036 listings starting at $2,495
Used Chevrolet Camaro
19 Great Deals out of 469 listings starting at $11,999
Used Chevrolet Malibu
56 Great Deals out of 1,042 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
23 Great Deals out of 767 listings starting at $18,999
Used Chevrolet Impala
8 Great Deals out of 131 listings starting at $3,495
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
170 Great Deals out of 7,481 listings starting at $6,995
Used Honda Civic
192 Great Deals out of 3,926 listings starting at $2,877
Used Ford F-150
315 Great Deals out of 13,484 listings starting at $4,888
Used Chevrolet Colorado
33 Great Deals out of 1,145 listings starting at $2,499
Used Chevrolet Trailblazer
17 Great Deals out of 1,301 listings starting at $18,995
Used Ford Mustang
35 Great Deals out of 1,585 listings starting at $5,977
Used Ford Focus
16 Great Deals out of 484 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Equinox
98 Great Deals out of 3,197 listings starting at $1,695

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.