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The dealer replaced it about 6 months ago and since then the steering has behaved itself.
For me, this car replaced a BMW wagon and I have no reason to look back.
"Just brought my Maxx in (first time)for the pull to the left, and fuel gauge/check gas cap problems. I mentioned the TSBs, but didn't give the numbers (didn't want to be pushy). They claimed the pull was due to uneven tire pressures, and the fuel gauge issue was because of a faulty sensor.
Well, the Maxx still pulls to the left, and when they install the new sensor next week, the gauge will still show 3/4, when full."
As expected, the sending unit(?) did not correct my problem. I picked up my Maxx at the end of the day, and topped off the tank. Still 3/4. I left a voice mail for the service writer that evening (with TSB#), and he called me the next day at 9AM. He told me he would research it, and call me back. He called again at 3PM, and told me that, although the part # on my gas tank doesn't match the TSB, they ordered a tank. He said they couldn't think of anything else it could be.
I can't blame them for following normal troubleshooting procedures, and they have been very accommodating. So far, I am pleased with their service. As far as the pull to the left, I still think it's there. I am about to take my first road trip, and told them I will get back to them, after my trip.
20 miles of my commute every day is at 70-75 on a six lane section of interstate in the left lane. The road has a moderate crown and here's a lane by lane experience - Right lane (slight slope to right)- the car tracks mostly straight with a tiny tendency to the left. Middle lane (top of crown)- slight wander to left. Left lane (slope to the left) - over the line within a 3 count.
None my other vehicles have done this in the past when properly aligned. Could it be that those big tires require more torque from the engine at these speeds and thus a torque steer? Is this a design issue that I'll just have to live with?
Torque steer, as it's been explained to me, is what happens under acceleration in FWD cars whose transmissions' half shafts are of unequal length. As the engine applies a torquing moment to the half shafts, the longer one will twist more than the shorter one, as the shaft is measured end to end, resulting in the side with the shorter-length half shaft transmitting its power sooner and more directly than the side with the longer half shaft. Hence the car wants to turn in the direction of the 'slower' turning wheel- i.e. the side with the longer half shaft. Once reaching equilibrium (at cruise, for example), the level of power applied to the wheels will be greatly reduced, so torque steer is reduced to imperceptible amounts. For illustration, let's say it takes about 15 h.p from your car's engine to maintain 40 m.p.h. steady state. Let's say moments earlier you were accelerating hard, with perhaps as much as the engine's full rated output being applied to the wheels. The twist the engine is putting on the half shafts while the engine is producing 15 h.p. is far less than the twist the engine is putting on the half shafts when, say, 200 h.p. is being applied to them. This is why torque steer is felt almost exclusively under acceleration (I guess to be proper I should use torque figures in this example (i.e. lbs-ft), but I use h.p. for simplicity).
Now, some, (if not most?) cars of more recent design do have half shafts of equal length (or perhpas have incorporated other means of minimizing the effects of torque steer, such as half-shafts of greater diameter producing less twist per linear inch), yet they are still attributed with having problems with 'torque steer'. I believe this, at least in some cases, is in error- at least in the sense of what is the classic definition of torque steer. Any powerful FWD car will on occasion give you fits as you accelerate hard, the steering wheel trying to wrestle itself from your grip as the car wants to dart left and right, but this is more likely caused by unequal levels of available traction left front tire vice right front tire. So you in turn wrestle with the steering wheel, trying your best to keep it straight as the car's 2 front tires are clawing for traction with differing levels of success.
My brother's 1974 Fiat 128 was a perfect example of a car that classically torque steered. It did it consistently and predictably- every time you hit the gas moderately or greater (in particular while at lower speeds or from a stop) the car would scribe an arc towards the left side of the road unless you countered with some pretty serious opposite steering lock. It was hilarious! Nevertheless it was a very fun car to drive, at least for the first 12000 miles or so, after which it began to self destruct. It had half shafts of unequal length, exacerbated by their relatively thin diameter, resulting in a greater level of twist, end to end, of the half shaft.
It seems today's engineers are paying more attention to designing transmissions that will distribute power as evenly as possible to both wheels in FWD cars.
I'd be curious to know if any of you Malibu owners have torque steer issues. I don't recall torque steer being mentioned in tests, but maybe it is present to some degree.
I suspect heavier wheels (the dubs so many folks love) will only make TS worse.
The upcomming SS model will have more power and heavier/bigger wheels. Will be interesting to see what Chevy does about TS here.
GM told my lawyer that it will take about 3-4 weeks. I wonder what takes them so long to get this done?
GM also said they are having trouble finding a local dealership willing to perform the buyback which might also cause a slight delay. This includes my selling dealership! Sounds like they are pissed that I won.
Oh well I have it on paper directly from GM that they will buy it back so they can take as long as they want!
The left-pull problem is a defect. GM seems to have botched the EPS in that they can't balance the steering so that it stays centered. The service guys at your dealer will go out of their way to "fix" it, but they know its not going to happen. GM is aware of the problem, but won't admit it. e-mail me.
sschriber post: "The road has a moderate crown and here's a lane by lane experience - Right lane (slight slope to right)- the car tracks mostly straight with a tiny tendency to the left. Middle lane (top of crown)- slight wander to left. Left lane (slope to the left) - over the line within a 3 count"
ron, the explanation of torque steer vs. traction imbalance was eloquent, but didn't simply answer sschriber's question ("Could it be that those big tires require more torque from the engine at these speeds and thus a torque steer? Is this a design issue that I'll just have to live with?").
The answer is as you've explained: it is very unlikely that it is torque steer. As for the traction imbalance due to tire geometry: tire rotation would correct or change the direction of the pulling. So, if you've rotated tires and the car's drifting leftward at steady speeds, there's a defect somewhere else. Only GM knows.
Greatest Congratulations! If GM could have fixed it, they would have.
It's very sad that GM just keeps on bungling service issues and dealer support. Don't they realize that is also costing them "market share"?
I find it strange that GM's customer service doesn't have access to TSB's by model, year, and part as their system was queried. Still, I have to admit that you're right that customers might benefit from [US] bringing it to the [GM]Customer Service" folks. Why should they be informed internally? (yes. I am fed up with dealing with GM's lemon and lies.)
let me know, thanks.
I suspect Chevy dealer will be same, closely inspecting car for any damage they can bill you for. Be sure it's clean, polished, looking nice when it goes back.
You might also ask the dealer if you can transport their inspector to your site, and let them sign off the buyback there.
Anyone else have this problem? Any fixes? Any good on-line sources for Chevy parts such as this?
Went to get a replacement for front turn signal bulb and no one, including the dealer, knew of a
3157KX bulb - listed in owners manual and stamped on the original equipment bulb. What does the KX signify and is a plain 3157 OK to use?
Anyone else run into a problem like this?
Hopefully your dealer can locate this part given this part number. If not, I am sure there are web sites that sell bulbs which you can get it from.
Recorded the 12450108 part number for future use.
Thanks for all for the replies!
No noise, quieter than ever. (steering wheel off center to right now, will have corrected)
2. Adjustable pedal clicks, no move. poor terminal connection. replaced.
3. rear shades popped out. Fixed
4. Gas gauge not reading full. Faulty fuel level sensor arm. Repalced, fine now
5. Noisy sunroof when open. Sunroof deflector installed (no charge) Works great!!!!!
6. 6 CD player, intermittent malfunction. Within normal specs (gave a printed list of do and don'ts) I told the SM just wanted to document in case further problems. Was given an Enterprise Grand Prix
Guess what? I brought it in Monday 7AM. Got a call 10:30 AM Wed. It was done! Not happy with the problems but what a turnaround. If it stays fixed, I'll be seeing another Malibu in my future. I want to thank all for the advice and TSB's. Gave them the list and the TSB's. Asked if they had a problem with me doing the research and they said no. They don't have to look things up and they indirectly make more$$$. I'm happy with my dealer. Not only a great price but excellent service.
I have noticed the loud wind noise with the sun roof and I am curious about the deflector TSB...the only thing is, our sunroof was installed after we bought the car (by the dealers preferred installer) so I am not sure if it would be covered under the gm tsb? I am guessing it is not.
I would buy the Maxx again.
I like the car overall, but it's hard to let go of these little annoyances.
Strangely, I've seen the same misalignment of roof and C pillar trim in 2005 models as I have in my 2004.
Unfortunately, trim fixes are beyond the techs I've found in LA, CA, They work dirty, and appear badly trained wrt fit and finish of interior parts.
Saving grace is the driver area is pretty nice, which is appreciated as that's where I spend the time while driving the Maxx! And the Maxx still remains a pleasant car on the freeway and the bad roads we have here.
Lynn, MA or Chevy/Pontiac in Danvers, MA?
I need to take care of couple problems with my Maxx and don't want to deal with another idiots in service department.
Any suggestions?