"Chatter" From Rear End

[Mishney]

I have noticed lately a "chatter" when I hit abrupt bumps. The sound comes from the passenger rear seemingly around the strut tower. I am thinking the top nut on the strut has come loose. It is now bad enough that at higher speeds (60+) it chatters badly. I am just trying to get ideas together before I go look at it. (It's like -5 degrees out) Any ideas? shrug

Thanks!
Matt

 

[RStalveyARFF]

either your strut mount has failed, or the metal piece that sits between the mount and the nut has broken apart. Either of those 2 things will cause a chattering.

 

[Mishney]

How hard a fix is this and what is entailed? Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Mishney]

*bump* Help guys!!! I need good info so I can get out and fix it. The noise has become pretty bad and my car is my only transportation. Anyone with information about where to find parts and what parts are involved. Also how to go about fixing it.

Thanks!
Matt

 

[sdpatt]

Have you ruled out that it could be from one of the rear seatback brackets? Slap the rear seatback with your hand to see if that could possibly be the source. I posted a fix for that malady.

You can inspect the three nuts on the upper strut mount bolts to make sure they are tight by looking in the trunk at the top of the strut towers.

Also check the sway bar frame mounting brackets for play and that they are secured. If none of these areas is the problem, you will have to at least remove the wheel to perform farther inspection of the suspension components. The possibilities could be a loose upper strut nut, a damaged upper strut mount or metal damper or a failed strut. They only way to find out is to check. Good luck.

 

[Mishney]

I have ruled that out. I wrapped the seatback brackets in friction tape so that if they do move there is no noise. Plus this noise is much heavier almost as if someone is underneath the car with a hammer. I am almost positive the noise is concentrated to the strut tower on the rear passenger side. I will check tonight after work to see if the bolts are loose. I am hoping that's just it, I really don't want to have to pull the strut and replace the mounts. Any other possibilities? Thanks for the help so far!

Matt

 

[Mishney]

I just checked, the three top nuts are not loose. I was under the car last weekend and replaced a sway bar end link so it's not that. I'm down to thinking it's the mount. Could this be it. And how hard is it to replace? Are there any other things I should replace while Im in there?

Thanks!

 

[adidasho]

Try your strut top, the rubber piece that connects the strut to the body. It's a common problem with that suspension, both of mine went bad within a few months of each other. They will make a clunking sound over bumps....if you get in there you should probably replace them anyway.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

adidasho:
Try your strut top, the rubber piece that connects the strut to the body. It's a common problem with that suspension, both of mine went bad within a few months of each other. They will make a clunking sound over bumps....if you get in there you should probably replace them anyway.

The rubber piece would be a strut mount wink