CLUNCK in left rear end

[revhardSHO]

The rear shocks(struts, or whatever they are) were replaced 20k miles ago. The car has recently developed a deep cluncking noise from the left rear end. Its weird, even when your on a strait, and relativly smooth road it will viberate slightly and CLUCK over the slightest bump. The shock is tight on both ends. It seems like something inside the shock, but dont really know. Any recommendations?? BTW--its an 89'

thanks
silas

 

[RStalveyARFF]

sounds like the strut mounts are going. They are a rubber mount, with a small steel collar pressed in the middle. The threaded end of the strut slips thru this collar and then is bolted to the mount. What happens over time is the collar will work its way free from the mount, and make an oblong hole in the mount. This action will cause a rattle, clunk, and annoying noise whenver you go over bumps big or small. I am betting when the struts were replaced, the mounts were not. A set of rear mounts runs for $73 shipped from shonutperformance.

Good luck!

 

[steevil]

rear strut mount is toast. A relatively easy fix but the strut needs to come out.

 

[buechine]

Check to make sure that the caliper is on tight, I had a loose bolt that made a clunking noise going over bumps. cheap and easy fix if it works.

 

[revhardSHO]

thanks guys. I will check that out.
im sure its not the caliper, i checked that.

 

[projectSHO89]

Before you go through all the trouble of pulling the strut assy, there are two things to consider:

1) If the clunking is coming from the top of the C-pillar, directly below the upper shoulder harness retractor, it is the upper strut mount.

2) If the clunking is coming from "lower" and its source is not distinct when driving the car, Worn or loose swaybar or endlink bushings are most likely. An easy test is to disconnect one side of the sway bar from the endlink and see if the problem noise goes away. If it does, new bushings are indicated.

End links and bushings are way easier to replace than the upper mount. I'd investigate them first.

Steve