Rear Strut Noise

[tw91sho]

While driving on bumpy roads I am gettin a thumping noise from the rear strut area. I have been in the trunk while someone else was driving a can feel it at the top of the strut. I have had the strut tower bearings replaced twice in three years and after awhile it comes back. What is the real fix for this?

Thanks

 

[projectSHO89]

"strut tower bearings"???

The only thing at the top of the rear struts is the upper mount. It has a rubber plate that the strut mounts to and provides the upper support for the springs.

If the sound appears to be coming from then area immediately below the rear seat shpoulder harness mounts, the upper strut mount is the source of the noise.

If the sound is "lower", it could be the sway bar end links. You can disconnect one side and see if the rattling goes away. If so, you know what system to focus on.

Steve
89

 

[jelloslug]

The rubber piece at the top of the strut is called a "strut tower bearing". Sound like there is another problem if you have replaced them that often. Check ALL the other bushings. Just about any othem being bad could cause that kind of failure because in the end thats where all the load of the rear of the car is at.

 

[olympic]

Replace the rear sway bar bushings! The ones that hold the bar to the frame rails. I replaced everything I could think of in my Sable before I found these to be the culprits. They rot out and when there's enough free play in the bushings, the sway bar can rattle over bumps. MOOG makes a nice cheap set of poly replacement bushings.

 

[smcallis]

Err, there are no strut tower bearings on the rear, only the front. The bearing allows the strut assembly to turn with the wheel hub.

I had a similar problem in the rear. At the time it was the strut mounts. If the strut is leaking oil it could also be the strut.

 

[Kworonowski]

I have had that problem also i just replaced the strut and upperstrut mount and put new poly bushings on the endlinks. Still have to do the sway bar bushings but the noise was gone. AZ seels the poly bushings for like $10 for both sides. And they look alot better then the smushed black rubber ones.

Kirk
89 SHO

 

[tw91sho]

Thanks for the info guys. The struts are not leaking and I have Enery sway bar bushings that are about three years old. Could they have worn out already? Yesterday I was driving in heavy rain and I never heard the sound. Today after it dried out the sound came back. There is supposedly a TSB regarding this but my dealer says it only applies to the Taurus and not the SHO. I will look at the bushings where the sway bar attaches to the frame. Again thanks.