Rattle in back right rear

1994 - 3 cyl - 1.0 L - Automatic - 98K miles

Over the past few weeks I've noticed a fairly loud, deep "rattle" in what sounds like the back right rear of the suspension - it happens mainly when going over rough or bumpy areas.

What could this be? Broken strut or shock? Something else?:runaround:

Mine does the same thing and it's the back pipe going into the muffler is broken. Exhaust moves around alot and makes some loud noises on bumps.
Funny thing is, the car is still very quiet otherwise.

Right. Or a broken baffle inside the muffler is rattling.

These cars do make funny exhaust noises as the system ages. But a loud and deep rattle sounds like it could be a loose shock, and needs to be inspected immediately.

This is a view of your upper shock mount (rear driver side) beneath it's plastic cover. Be sure these are tight. The two smaller nuts hold the mount to the car, and the big, center nut holds the shock to the mount.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j64/isc20/011.jpg

Below then is the bottom of the same shock. The lines are to point out the indexing tab that is attached to the body of the shock. This metal tab tells you when the shock is installed properly. Finaly make sure the bottom shock bolt is tight.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j64/isc20/022.jpg

Grab the shock from underneath and give it a good push/pull. Do the same for the other side and the front.

-MechanicMatt

Don't forget to check the spare tire compartment. The spare should be tightened down with the wing nut or it will make lots of noise. Any other stuff in there should be wedged in so it can't rattle around.

Q

I had a deep "knocking" from the right rear also on my 1999 3 cyl. 5 speed 2 door. What I discovered was my right side rear sway bar body mount had rusted allowing the sway bar to rattle loosly. I "finessed" the rusted bolts out without tearing out the threaded inserts, (luck) whacked the sway bar mount with a screwdriver handle (very professional) until loose rust no longer fell out, sprayed paint up into the gaps in the metal, hopefully to slow further corrosion (hah). Then I found some galvenized sheet metal under my workbench and made a small shim to take up what corrosion had removed .. sort of where the "saddle" of the sway bar fits. Then put a piece of rubber around the sway bar to further snug the sway bar, and rebolted it back in place with new bolts. No problem since! I also scrubbed and librally slopped rust-O-lium under the entire rear of the car (I hate rust!) Maybe this will be YOUR fix? Take care of that car .. they are GREAT! DangerDude

Napa sells some good stuff for stopping rust and also for removing rust. This is worth looking into.

Leon