98 Malibu noise from rear suspension

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a used 98 Malibu. The car looks like new but a has a couple common problems to malibu's from what I've read on this site.

Most people complain of a noise coming from the front suspension but I'm almost positive I'm getting a squawking noise coming from the rear somewhere. It sounds like a hollow metal on metal sound amplified by the car body. It's somewhat intermittent too but most noticeable at low city driving speeds. Does anyone know what the most likely offender is on this? a bad shock or bushing? I have a mechanic friend who could help me fix these if I knew exactly what parts need replacing.

Thanks.

Welcome Aboard!

The rear strut upper mountings are suspect, depending upon mileage. The upper strut mounts tend to compress and wear, and the strut can have free movement as a result. On small bumps or with slight body movements on irregular pavement, the strut can "thump" or rattle as the vehicle body jounces slightly. On larger bumps, the noise becomes less evident due to the greater suspension travel.

You can open the trunk and observe the upper strut mountings which the vehicle body is jounced to check for excessive free movement.

yes and when you jounse it should stop on 3rd jounce if not time for struts...good luck.

i have the same problem, how do i fix this? open the trunk .. pop off that little cover on the top of the strut and tighten that bolt?

yes and when you jounse it should stop on 3rd jounce if not time for struts...good luck.
what do you mean by this?

if your talking about the jounce? it's really a bounce but us alingmant men are use to calling it a jounce..and when i say you jounce the car to you it means bounce so if it don't stop on the 3rd bounce it's time for struts..hope i exsplained it right to you or is there anyone else out there that can word it better so he or they can understand? and not on the nut on the strut where you take top off and see that nut..really you need to take it to a good alighnmant man..really sounds like upper bearing plate or dry strut...good luck..

if your talking about the jounce? it's really a bounce but us alingmant men are use to calling it a jounce..and when i say you jounce the car to you it means bounce so if it don't stop on the 3rd bounce it's time for struts..hope i exsplained it right to you or is there anyone else out there that can word it better so he or they can understand? and not on the nut on the strut where you take top off and see that nut..really you need to take it to a good alighnmant man..really sounds like upper bearing plate or dry strut...good luck..
yea i figured i probably would have to :frown:

Hi, I'm back with an update I think, I was trying to replicate the sound by bouncing the back end around and I noticed it does not make the noise when I push down vertically but it happens almost every time I push down and forward. Does this narrow down which suspension component may be causing the problem?

My mechanic friend suggested I buy a can of silicone spray to lubricate and swell the bushings down there. Is there any value to this or should I punch him in the back of the head? :evillol:

Thanks in advance

if you don't have a lift try this...put a rim under neath both back back wheels that way you no it wont fall on you..then have someone or you get under there why your doing that and you should be able to hear the noise and see where it's coming from..let me know.......