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I have had this clunking noise in the front end mainly when I turn the wheel while moving. This noise is very loud and noticeable outside the car as well as inside the car. I took it to a trusted mechanic back in June. He replaced the wheel bearings, half shaft (drivers side), struts, control arms w/ bushings, and one bad motor mount. Luckily he pulled all the new parts out when it didn't solve the problem and only charged me for an hour of service after having the car for 2 days. I had the front struts and springs and tie-rod ends replaced about two years ago for different reasons. I also noticed when the clunk happens when I turn right the drivers side brakes start to squeak as if the were worn down to the indicators. I just replaced the pads and rotors about 3 months ago. Please help me if you have any suggestions. Thanks  

Is it just one clunk or a series of them? Does it increase in frequency with the speed of the car?

Gary  

It might be one or two clunks as I turn the corner.  The frequency stays the same however, the loudness can very.  

your mechaninc replaced alot of parts that didnt solve the problem.  Another possabitly, which I think he might have seen though, is a bent spring.  

The only thing is that I purposely hit pot holes to test the suspension and it doesn't make the clunk.  

did you replace the strut mounts and bearings or just the control arm bushings?  

Those were not replaced and the mechanic said they looked good.  Is that something I should look at?  

I had my dad take a look at it last night and we noticed a slight clunk when I jerk the wheel back and forth.  He grabbed the tie while I did this and he said the tie rod would vibrate during that slight clunk.  Where do I go from here?  

Don't know if this helps

1998 Chevrolet MALIBU Recall ID from NHTSA: 03V527000
Auto Recall Date: 12/11/2003
Vehicle Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 750283
1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU Defect Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Defect Consequence:
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Notes: GENERAL MOTORS CORP., 03062  

hey buddy i drive a 97 malibu and i gotta horrible clunk noise on the passenger side front that increases with speed.  i noticed that the power steering pump pulley that is driven by the serpentine belt is wobbling because it was made from two plastic dics that were adhered poorly. unfortunately there are no recalls for this particular device. but have you had any a/c problems because mine just completely stopped with no warning signs and if you've ever lived in texas you'd know that a/c is a neccesity. somebody give me some advice  

check your AC clutch, its an electromechanical clutch that grabs when 12V is applied to the little pigtail coming out of the pulley area. Mine went out and the pump never turns without the clutch engaged. You can get a new clutch for about 30 bucks but getting it off/on is a real PITA. You need to remove the compressor and you will probably have to evacuate the AC system to do that. figure at least 90 bucks to recharge it. My front motor mount is bad, a big clunk when I put it into gear, you could see the motor rise about 2 inches against the transmission load! My CV's are shot too, clunking around hard slow turns and I have something loose up front becasue when I go over the smallest bumps in the road I get a clatter, sounds like control arm bushings that are metal on metal. One site talked of noisy hubs. Great car if the front end would cooperate!  

I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu that is right now making a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel from left to right and vice versa. Steering column is extremely loose.
Previous experience with a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo, same clunking noise & loseness in the steering column and an interment shaft and some kind of padding had to be replaced.  I am told it is from hitting potholes.
If someone knows anything different or better, please do tell.  

Sounds like you need to have you intermediate steering shaft lubed or replaced if worn out. This is what GM calls a slip-stick condition. I repair about 2-3 a day. Check with GM parts and see if a lube kit is available for your vehicle.  

I have a '97 malibu and I have a clunk too. I do have a bad motor mount, but thats not it I don't think. There is a loud pop that comes from under the front end when I and parking or backing out with the wheel turned sharp. I took it to a racing buddy that has a shop and he said he couldn't figure it out because he couldn't get it to pop while it was jacked up.
It's driving me crazy!!!  

Not sure if this will help but I have a 2001 Chevy Blazer that was doing this.  I replaced ball joints and greased all suspension parts but that did not help.  While working on a ball joint I noticed some play in the upper control arm bolt/bushings.  I simply tightened them up good and tight and the problem is gone.  Mine used to pop any time I was pulling into or out of parking spots with the wheel cut hard.  Hope this solves your problem.  

Mark