Well, that depends, do you have front-wheel drive or rear wheel drive? With front wheel drive, you most likely have a CV joint problem on the drive axle. The best way to find out how to do ANY repair to any make or model car is to buy (or borrow) a chilton or hanes manual from an auto parts store (or library). They are not very expensive and save you tons of money, by helping you fix the most common, and many uncommon problems, step-by-step.
Oct 03, 2009
- If you hear the sound getting worse when turning, it's most likely the CV (constant velocity) joint. They range in difficulty to replace from intermediate (with basic repair skills) to professional (only to be done by a service technician). It all depends on your specific vehicle (body style, engine size, etc.) A rebuilt drive axle will only set you back around $60 and they are the simpler of the two repairs. If you are sure it is the wheel bearing, they are more difficult to replace, but are around the same price.
Basically, to replace the drive axle (with new CV joints included), jack up the car and put it on jack stands (any safe area that is not putting weight on the suspension), remove the wheel, caliper and brake rotor, you may need to also remove the tie rod end to remove the axle, then remove the castle nut on the outside end of the axle, and remove the axle. To replace with the new axle, reverse the process and try to put a new cotter pin in the castle nut (older one may break).
http://www2.partstrain.com/store/index.php?PN=4294957284&N=0&VN=4294967189+4294966993+4294965804+4294966921+4294965997&Nr=AND%28universal:0%29&props=Category:Driveshaft+%26+Axle
Here is a site that I've found has replacement parts for cheap, but I can not vouch for them, I have never ordered from them. I trust the more well known auto parts stores (NAPA, AutoZone, Pep Boys, etc.) myself, although they do have higher prices due to retail mark-ups.
You may want to check the dealer's warranty also, if you've only got 50K miles, you might still be under a power-train warranty through them. I think I've heard of a possible recall of the 2000 Malibu CV boots. That might be worth looking into.
I hope this helps somewhat. I'm sorry I can't find step-by-step instructions or pictures for your car. Good luck.
