Hi All,

I am a new member as of today. I bought a 2009 LS with 39,000 miles two weeks ago. It was either a colbalt or a ford focus and I figured the colbolt was better value for money. Anyway I've since heard a front end rattle and seems like it could be the steering column after reading the forums. Are the faults the actual column or the power steering motor?

The car is going back to the dealer anyway next week because the blinkers are not shutting off after going arond a bend, would they have to replace the whole column for this?

Thanks All!

Front end rattle could be a few things. Plenty of threads on here. But order.....
1. End links (Most probable cause)
2. Swaybar bushings
3. Lower control arm bushings
4. Intermediate steering shaft U-joint.

They don't have to replace steering shaft for either of these or blinker switch.

Thanks for your reply. I just had a good look and poked my head under the dash, the noise appears to be coming from the upper bearing on the intermediate shaft. When I 'shake' the steering wheel I seem to get the same noise. Should I start by trying to grease the bearing like I've read about in the forums and see if the noise goes away?

If it makes that much noise grease won't help it, but if you can hear from under the dash, that might be part of the electric steering motor recall. Check with dealer if the recall has been done on your car. Just give them the VIN and they will know.

---------- Post added at 09:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 PM ----------

Shoot, I don't think 2009 is part of the recall.

---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

Well I guess some are. sorry.

https://www.yourcobalt.com/forums/rec...l-10023-a.html

I checked recalls already on GM owner center.com. No recalls listed for my cobalt but the link you sent was interesting, my vin falls within ones which were recalled. I may try some grease and see if it is any quiter but I've already told the dealer I want them to take a look when it goes for the blinker problem!

Hello and welcome to the forum Daniel84!

I'm the resident Customer Service Representative for the forum, and I see you're planning on working with your dealership on this one (along with the blinker problem). Keep us posted on your progress there, and if you wanted for me to check in on anything with them (or look into any recalls), let me know.

Sarah, GM Customer Service

Thanks Sarah. I saw a video with a steering column removed and it showed how the power steering gear teeth make the rattle. My cobalt makes exactly the same noise - it must be this. Has anyone ever removed the power steering motor and injected grease in? If so did this work? A temporary fix maybe? Did the recall fix this specific problem?

Thanks,
Daniel.

The recall motor is what started this problem on my car.

There is a slight rattle going slow over bumpy ground in mine but I just assumed it was the steering gears in the motor and have dealt with it. If there was a way to stop it then that would be excellent

I guess the fix at most shops would be to replace the steering column. I am wondering if its possible to add grease as a short term fix. My car is in the dealer now to fix a blinker problem, I asked them to listen for the rattle too, not heard anything yet though!