Rear rattle or clunk...?
- Thread starter cmwwit
- Start date
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jmpSHO2nd
SHO Member
Swaybar bushings or maybe a bad strut mount or a bad stabilizer link but without seeing or driving the car it's hard to say but I am willing to bet on swaybar bushings.
Co-signed...
yeah, I was thinking sway bar end-link bushings, or even a broken end-link can cause that. strut mounts certainly can cause that as well, but not usually limited to low speeds as described.
jmpSHO2nd
SHO Member
I would replace the swaybar bushings before replaing the strut mounts.
mrecoolgar
SHO NUP
Upper strut mounts are known to cause clunking.
shobote
SHO Member
If the noise sounds like it is coming from the A-pillar, rather than undreneath the car, it is a worn strut mount. THe rubber hole in the center gets stretched out after so much time; the noise is the strut rod moving and hitting the metal on the car where the strut bolts up to.
mrecoolgar
SHO NUP
It's not necessarily 'broken'.
As shobote mentioned, the thru hole ovals and wears larger.
This allows more movement which turns into the clunking you hear.
The strut assembly needs to be removed, seperated from the coil spring then reinstalled with the new upper strut mount.
As shobote mentioned, the thru hole ovals and wears larger.
This allows more movement which turns into the clunking you hear.
The strut assembly needs to be removed, seperated from the coil spring then reinstalled with the new upper strut mount.
you can remove the strut from the trunk if you are patient and have the right tools. if you are not patient, you can remove the rear seat, remove the rear package shelf, remove the rear seat belts, and access from above.
in any case, the spring needs to be compressed to remove the strut mount from the strut asm, and as long as you are doing all that, you likely should replace the struts.
in any case, the spring needs to be compressed to remove the strut mount from the strut asm, and as long as you are doing all that, you likely should replace the struts.
Radical540
New Member
Rear Clunk..
...i'm a noob here too. Just purchased a '93 with 61,000! Helluva deal!
Anywho...mine has the same rear clunk on the passenger side (rear).
I'm guessing probably the same prognosis as the original poster's.
MY PLAN...is to replace the whole strut assembly, with one of those "Monroe" Ready-Strut assemblies. I've used them on other MacPherson strut equipped vehicles, and though they cost a little more- you certainly make it up in Labor and less aggravation and hassle when dealing with changing over the coil spring, etc. yada yada yada.
Advanced Auto carries them in the Monroe Sensa-Trac variety, and rear assemblies start at about $140. (Front are about the same +/- $20)
...i'm a noob here too. Just purchased a '93 with 61,000! Helluva deal!
Anywho...mine has the same rear clunk on the passenger side (rear).
I'm guessing probably the same prognosis as the original poster's.
MY PLAN...is to replace the whole strut assembly, with one of those "Monroe" Ready-Strut assemblies. I've used them on other MacPherson strut equipped vehicles, and though they cost a little more- you certainly make it up in Labor and less aggravation and hassle when dealing with changing over the coil spring, etc. yada yada yada.
Advanced Auto carries them in the Monroe Sensa-Trac variety, and rear assemblies start at about $140. (Front are about the same +/- $20)
shobote
SHO Member
Quick struts make the job easy, but before you commit, check out somebody's SHO that has them, as they raise the ride heght above stock, making the center of gravity higher too. The springs that come with those are probably the culprit.
I was thinking of getting the Monroe compete assembly also. Maybee they make the car look higher because the springs are new and not worn and maybee sagging? How hard would they be to install? could an amature mechanic like me install them? Thanks, Chris.
shobote
SHO Member
A full strut is very easy to replace; just remove the wheel, caliper, then unbolt the strut. The Monroes sit higher than original stock height. There are very few shtrut choices with a sHO unfortunately. No more Tokicos or Konis as they stopped making them.
mrecoolgar
SHO NUP
I always worked in the trunk.
A ratchet wrench works best.
A ratchet wrench works best.
Radical540
New Member
Finally replaced my rear struts. The sway bar end links (on both sides) were completely broken!!! The bar was just hanging there.
Replaced the struts with "Monroe Quick Struts". The ride height is completely stock- so not to worry there.
The real problem is the lower "pinch" bolt. You will NEVER get it out without heating the knuckle until it's practically molten. Then buzz it out with an impact gun. I also drilled out my knuckle and simply installed a 7/16 (grade 8) bolt and nut, to replace the stock pinch-bolt. The strut job though it may seem easy on the surface, was a complete nightmare!! (and I'm an ASE mechanic too!)
If you're not very mechanically inclined, I'd stay far, far away from trying to do this job yourself......mainly due to the lower strut bolt (pinch bolt) concerns!
Cheers!
PS: Oh....also installed a Dynomax Cat-back exhaust. Obviously doesn't sound as good as my Camaro or Chevelle..but at least no more exhaust leaks!!
Replaced the struts with "Monroe Quick Struts". The ride height is completely stock- so not to worry there.
The real problem is the lower "pinch" bolt. You will NEVER get it out without heating the knuckle until it's practically molten. Then buzz it out with an impact gun. I also drilled out my knuckle and simply installed a 7/16 (grade 8) bolt and nut, to replace the stock pinch-bolt. The strut job though it may seem easy on the surface, was a complete nightmare!! (and I'm an ASE mechanic too!)
If you're not very mechanically inclined, I'd stay far, far away from trying to do this job yourself......mainly due to the lower strut bolt (pinch bolt) concerns!
Cheers!
PS: Oh....also installed a Dynomax Cat-back exhaust. Obviously doesn't sound as good as my Camaro or Chevelle..but at least no more exhaust leaks!!
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Thanks for the info Radical540, although not what i wanted to hear! I thought i could save some money by doing the job myself.. now you have me scared to try it!..oh well guess i will have to just bite the bullet and take it somewhere to have it done, although i do have access to some air tools....hmm
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