How to Fix: 2018 Chevy Malibu rear popping clunking sound

[@d-nice4672]

Just returned from mechanic and was told same issue. Appreciate your video/info. First one I came across that summed it up

[@3500camarz]

Had an old friend that had this issue and what we did to fix the issue was simply grease those knuckles. Simply take the retaining clips on the outer side of the rubber boots, squeeze as much auto grease as you can in there, work it around, reinstall retaining clip, and the noise was gone.

[@lourdesnunez1146]

Thank you for sharing. I have the same sound and someone told me it was the struts but we checked the struts and they look ok.

[@bethanybernard2517]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Currently sitting at the shop for an oil change, asked them to assess the noise. "We can hear it, but don't know what's causing it." So, I told them to check the knuckles!

[@iamawakeatnite]

I took it to mechanic and replaced shocks It still made it. I also said this to mechanic and they ignored me. Glad there is nothing really wrong just some worn parts. Thanks for the info It does it on the 2019 lt too.

[@needforfieros]

I pulled the bolt and piece in the knuckle. I sprayed a ton of PB blaster under the boot. I then injected some neversieze and red grease. There were no difficult bolts. After a couple of months it is smooth as new. No popping at all. I saved buying the new casting. I suggest you grease this joint before it seizes or fails.

[@daviddancer2727]

My 2016 does it. It’s bullshit and GM needs to do a recall on this. Same goes for the gas pedal issue.

[@856977jt]

Gas pedal sensor was recalled I got mine replaced for free.

[@CFKaine]

I literally had to replace the gas pedal a couple months ago, $117 and did the work myself. I wish I could do this knuckle job too.

[@Ant_Jackson]

The shift to park issue too.

[@emmettturner9452]

A recall for a moving part of the wheels and suspension that wears out? Nah. This should be a TSB so that the techs will stop misdiagnosing it.

[@jerrysilva4914]

Been dealing with this for a while. The thing. Is it only does it when when it’s warm. When it’s cold weather it don’t do nothing.

[@kennethdoherty6904]

Same with mine.

[@jordanfoslett4112]

Same with mine too

[@Je1gonzalez]

My is doing the same thing and cold weather is coming, let's see what happens...

[@kimbuford8114]

Same here 2016 Malibu

[@romanvenegas8464]

Mine had the same issue. The warmer it was, the louder it got. I replaced both knuckles, and it fixed the issue!

[@simplyrandom5239]

Thank you bro. Literally a time saver

[@tajharelstewart5854]

This was helpful just fixed the right rear knuckle sound went away. I might have to replace the other side. But I’ll wait until I hear the noise again 😂

[@Minecraft321boys]

I have a 2016 Malibu Premier. The popping sound happens for me while driving slow speeds, getting in and out of the car, loading and unloading the trunk. Did you have to replace both sides?

[@jorgeorduno3309]

what was wrong with it

[@prestontackett7686]

I have a 2016 Malibu Premier as well! Same exact problem….I was just about to buy new shock absorbers for the back until I found this video! Going to buy those now to see if it fixes the problem!! The issue has gotten so bad it’s makes my tires wear uneven…wish Chevy would just cover this issue

[@toddsanders9778]

@@prestontackett7686 eventually yes, I replaced both sides

[@ramirovigil4634]

My 16 malibu premier does the exact same thing! Litteraly couldn't describe it any better my self.

[@jorgeorduno3309]

@@toddsanders9778 rides smooth now ?

[@kyleyjackman4647]

Thank you so much! This should be a recall!

[@emmettturner9452]

Any moving part in the wheels/suspension is going to be considered a wear item

[@samielfatih2416]

Thank you for that I have the same problem and CHEVY agent in Abu Dhabi told me I need to replace front axe because this sound is from them and not from the back. Which Clearly I hear it from the back.

[@quartle]

I don't currently have the money to fix this, does not replacing it have any effects on the car? other than the annoying noise

[@thomasgilbert7177]

I’ve been trying to figure this out for so long, really appreciate the video!

[@mrg6946]

Where did you buy the part at? I'm looking at RockAuto but idk if it comes with the bushing.

[@emmettturner9452]

If you order the same part number it should.

[@XxxTheFireEmblemxxX]

Hey man, would you mind letting me know the ballpark cost of getting both of these done?

[@toddsanders9778]

About $250 each side.

[@ccorley326]

I’m getting quotes $1400 at my Chevy dealership to fix it. Looks like I’m gonna try greasing it or continue riding around with the noise 😅

[@Boredashel]

Not sure if you’re going to see this from two years ago but I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu and I have the same type of clunking. I thought maybe it was the shocks and then I saw this video.

[@kryptic849]

Got a 2017, started happening right at 40k miles not too long ago. Hopefully this will fix it.

[@extraignid4044]

Did it fix it?

[@QBOSILINI]

Assuming this is the same sound Im hearing coming from the rear on my 2017 Malibu… Ive heard it for a while now and thought it was just something in my trunk rolling around. But recently when I cleaned out my trunk it obviously wasn’t lol. So question, If not repaired is the noise the only thing you have to deal with? Or will it eventually cause problems?

[@chelseyvasquez7010]

What would happen if you just avoid this problem of the popping? Anything serious?

[@mlane7261]

Mine is doing it also. It's gotten worse over time and I can't get it fixed for a coyote months. Hopefully the wheel doesn't come off?

[@laurasolozapa72]

Will this GM part number work for right and left side ?

[@truthteller8274]

2017 Malibu LT, same clunking issue happening. Kept thinking shocks/struts but new tires went on and Mech. saw nothing wrong. A shame these cars have so many dumb issues like this that other cars seem immune to. I have driven over 1 million miles in a dozen cars. I've only ever had stupid, strange, early appearing problems on my GM cars - Cadillac, Malibu, Colorado. Half a million miles in Toyotas and never once a freak issue like this.

[@jonathang6534]

Weird coincidence.

[@kennethdoherty6904]

Unless GM has improved the part, the same thing will happen again with the replacement.

[@RyanStille]

if you google the part number he mentions, GM says that number replaces an older part number, so there is a good possibility they have improved the part. "Knuckle (Replaces Part Number 22949386) - GM (84454535)"

[@Je1gonzalez]

Same though...

[@SaldanaHD]

Trash designs Have My 18 Redline Edition with 35 thousand miles .. bought it with 0 . got trans humming noise around 30 mph and This Clunking Noise Coming from both rears Saw The Service Bulletin For The Washers for the shocks did it . Next Step They Recommend If Not Fixed To Replace The Knuckles … at 35 k cmon 😭

[@TylerJohns-vq4xb]

Would this cause a possible shank to the vehicle over 60 mph??

[@CarlosRoman1065]

thank you that help me alot , i have the same problem

[@md65000]

Why would you expect the new knuckle to be any better than the old one?

[@Thagreenmonsta]

I hear the popping when I go around from a incline like a parking lot almost like it's sliding and popping from the back

[@salykas]

Did it make you change wheel bearing?

[@mattbrown2241]

Does anyone know if that part number will work for a 17 Malibu LT

[@IxReexyxI]

You’re 100% correct! My dealer just fixed mine and this was it

[@malikxh713]

How much did they charge you?

[@Je1gonzalez]

@@malikxh713 I want to know too how much it was

[@FonzVidzzz]

Me 2

[@krms101]

What was the cost

[@toddsanders9778]

Mine was about $250 each side.

[@ash21loyal]

I wish we could actually hear what the noise sound like so I can know if it’s the same as mine

[@dougn2350]

How many miles before the noise issue became apparent?

[@Keagan-Z06]

Mine was around 15k miles, there is a TSB on this.

[@jefferystevens6233]

Do you have part number for just the busing?

[@toddsanders9778]

Sorry. No

[@dt3510]

Has anyone-drilled a hole in the casting for a grease zert

[@isaiahprentice1776]

What’s the part called ?

[@kylemarcum9293]

Knuckle

[@jimrodriguez7640]

Thank you for this! Gonna try it on our 2018 Regal Sportback

[@JuaniPodrido]

I have the same year and model, was the sound like it was coming from under neath trunk? Everytime i would get off it would make a clunk,if i was pushed down the rear car it will make the sound. Only noticable at low speeds. Dealer wanted charge me over 1600 for struts and knuck replacement.

[@gvmeproductions4233]

I got sportback bro did it work

[@jeremypryor8439]

I have 2017 MALIBU LT and I’m so ready to get this issue fixed! It’s so irritating

[@ethandent1669]

I also have 2017 and it's driving me insane! Is yours like a clunk/thud? Mine used to be intermittent but now it's occurring quite frequently.

[@crz8237]

@@ethandent1669same reason why I’m here 🤣

[@NoamPitlick-bg8kw]

Most if not all repair shops do not like customers bringing their own parts.

[@shansmith7100]

Starting to have same problem also!!!! Of many lol!

[@jontewilliams10]

How much did the mechanic charge to replace it?

[@toddsanders9778]

I believe it was about $150 per side. Took them 1/2 day.

[@jontewilliams10]

Todd Sanders thanks

[@ACT1V3M1ND]

Have had my 2018 malibu for a year now has 50k miles only problem ive had so far is the shift to park issue which is a 15 second fix no need to go to a shop to fix it just watch a youtube video and save yourself hundreds of dollars

[@andrebennett4827]

My 2020 Malibu does this took it to the dealer and they replaced my rear shocks and said ill still hear for a day or two because they’re new

[@justinweathers7180]

That “thing” as you call it is a ball joint….

[@toddsanders9778]

Always learning. Thank you!

[@marcusmccurtis2660]

I just got my car out the shop they couldn't find a thing!!!!!!!!!!!

[@michaelkorbobo8460]

Get rid of car as soon as possible. Malibu like other gm products has many issues all the time over years and years.Poor engineering and cheap parts to compete with other companies.

[@adamaguado272]

My first issue with my 2018 Malibu. I'm at 193,500 miles.

[@johnnorris7897]

I looked at radio shack and i couldn't find the part

[@ciscosanchez1805]

Thank you for your video

[@martingomez6928]

Thank you

[@thedaywillcome]

Very common problem on this model , I buy cars from auctions and 8 out of 10 have this problem

[@LoneWolfTrell]

I have a 2017 Malibu premier I have popping and clunking noise I hope this vids helps me

[@NotVeryGudGamer]

Did it help?

[@LoneWolfTrell]

@@NotVeryGudGamer taking mines to a shop this week tried his way still got sound but still give it a try might work for you

[@NotVeryGudGamer]

@@LoneWolfTrell damn, hopefully you figure out the problem.

[@jorgeorduno3309]

@@LoneWolfTrell what was it

[@Rudeboy008]

What was it?

[@jose32301]

Man my 2021 Malibu when I push the break my trunk opens

[@truthteller8274]

Wow... every time you hit the brakes your trunk opens?!? There's no way to live with that if it can't be fixed. I'd dump the car.

[@Ant_Jackson]

$1200 later no more popping sound from my Malibu. 🤬

[@truthteller8274]

This cost you $1,200? Or you mean to say you tried other things first that cost then did this and this worked?

[@Ant_Jackson]

@@truthteller8274 nope. It literally paid $1,200 to fix the clunk sound. I’m still mad about it.

[@jayg3559]

Typical made in China part.

[@dannmann17]

Made in China🤔