Hey guys,

So a couple months ago i noticed a rattling on the freeway in the front end. Wasnt too loud and i only heard it goin 70+ so i just ignored it. Now a few weeks ago it started shaking and rattling really bad when i hit the brakes. My whole front end shakes including the steering wheel. Now a few days ago, the same shaking and rattling i get from applying the brakes, happens just driving in the 60-70 mph range, but if i turn the steering wheel a little bit and hold it there, it stops until i let go again. What could be causing this. I dont think its a warped rotor because wouldnt i feel the shake at any speed? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mine did that and it was a stuck piston in the front caliper. I bought a rebuilt caliper from Napa and it solved the problem.

After it's doing the shaking bad come to a stop and feel the temperature of the rims. Careful, my front passenger one was hot enough to burn you. That's how I knew which caliper was sticking.

I didn't need to replace the pads or rotor.

-Jamie M.

 

hmm... as said above... it could be a seized caliper... since it happens just while driving..... or could be an axle.... but those typically would just cause a vibration.... not really a "rattle" noise.

Check your front brakes first and go from there..

 

I just changed my pads a couple days ago. Everything seemed fine. The piston compressed so i dont think its that. Its a pretty violent shake and rattle? Could it be a ball joint?

 

I had two shops look at my car/brakes and both of them said "pistons are fine", took it to the dealer they said "sticky piston", replaced with rebuilt caliper, car is flawless now.

It doesn't take much to cause the problem! Just a very slight drag, so even though the piston seems OK it can still be causing it.

Check your rim temps after the problem happens, easy way to tell if one is dragging.

-Jamie M.

 

with the car not running and but ignition unlocked, shake the wheel back and forth, sounds like the steering column/shaft.

 

this^^

if it were brakes or alignment i couldnt imagine it causing a rattling noise, just the vibrations.

 

Okay so i did this and i heard the rattling sound. So i guess im replacing my steering column. Thanks alot!

 

its really common on cobalts, mine even doesi t with 30000kms... not as bad as some otehrs ive heard tho. it may be the source of the rattling but im not sure about the shaking, check your control arm bushings.

 

Back from the dead! Just figured id update in case anyone else had this problem. The shaking was really warped rotors and the clunking was sway bar endlinks. Figured this out a long time ago, just forgot to post the fix