loud cluncking sound

[jjlabinski]

I just had new rear springs and shocks installed 10 months ago. gradually a terrible cluncking sound started to appear from the rear. It is no doubt suspension related because the severity of the sound is proportional to the road conditions. I am concerened that if I dont address this now something major will fail. I cant seem to be able to pin point the origin of the sound. Has anyone else experienced this condition?

any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks
jeff

 

[cRaZySHO.]

Check the rear sway bar links and sway bar to body bushings. Also, did you have the upper spring isolators/mounts changed?

 

[adidasho]

I had the same problem w/my stock springs, it was the strut top, I hear they go bad quite often. quite cheap to replace, a lot less noise.

 

[Chis Randolph]

I have the same problem with my gen 3 sho. There is a bad clunking sound from the rear passenger side strut area. The clunking comes and goes when bunbs in the roads no matter how big or small and i am certain it is the rear right passenger side. Took the car to ford and they said my rear upper strut mount was gone bad, so they replaced it so they say and the clunking appeared to be gone but a week or so later it was right back again. To me clunking sounds feels like there is a space in between something and the strut or something keeps sliding up and down and banging agaisnt whatever. Any suggestion to a possible fix would be appreciated.
P.S. should I go back to the dealer with my receipt and have them take another look at it and demand they do the job right.

 

[Slo-Sho]

Replace the strut rod bushings.

 

[Hubes]

does it happen when you turn the car right? i get this rattle from the rear end soemwhere when i turn the car slight to the right with the curves/turns in the road, at normal speeds something is definately rattling there. the noise appears to be eminating from the right rear

 

[cRaZySHO.]

slosho:
Replace the strut rod bushings.

Aren't strut rod bushings the same as rear sway bar links?

 

[Slo-Sho]

No, they are two totally different parts.

 

[projectSHO89]

Here's a picture of the rear (and front) suspension: http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/images/trwsuspension.jpg


To differentiate between the upper strut mount and the sway bar and end links, try to see if the noise is coming from the area directly below the rear shoulder harness mounts. The upper strut mount is located about 3-4 inches below the harness mount. Ride in the trunk if needed to identify the source of the noise.

If the problem noise is coming from below the floor of the trunk, you are left with the possiblities of the sway bar to body bushings, the sway bar end links, control arm bushings (either at the knuckle or at the H-brace) and the tension strut bushings. You can use an hammer and a crowbar to vigorously test for movement and noises once the car is elevated safely.

Steve