Suspension Question

I have a 2002 Cavalier and for a while its been making some noises that I am trying to fix. When i start out and I am going low speeds it sometimes makes a grinding/rattling sound coming from the rear. This is amplified when people sit in the back of my car. Also when I go over bumps there is a thumping sound that sounds like something is moving up and down. I have a relatively new muffler, so I don't believe that is the issue.

I am not really a car person, so I do not know what is wrong. I took the car to a friend of a friend of my dads who said that it needs front and rear strut assemblies, rear back tires, and a tune up for around 1600 bucks.

I then took it to my best friend's dad who has a shop and he said that it only needs 2 front lower control arms (bushing as well or something, not totally sure), a tune up and 2 rear tires. He said around 900 bucks.

I would rather trust my friend's dad as he owns a shop and has a good reputation, but I feel that whatever it needs it should be in the rear of the car, as that is where the noises are coming from. Will two front lower control arms fix whatever problems I am having in the rear of the car?

Thanks!

no fixing the front won`t likely cure the rear....lol. not sure on your grinding rattling sounds from rear. the clunk(which could sound like muffler banging) from rear could very well be the rear strut mounts which you cannot see. Back tires just worn out or are they wore funny ,as in inside wear or out side wear? get your list of parts go online to autozone or pepboys whatever and get your parts price. If you can find a dealership you can likely get a quote for the labour to do this stuff as there will be a set time limit for each job they perform,heck give them your parts list and just ask for a quote for the job. tune -up is just basically plugs /wires ,air and fuel filter. Both your quotes could seem a little high.

Cavaliers kinda have a reputation of having bad strut mounts. I changed the rear ones in mine and it stopped the clunking.

no fixing the front won`t likely cure the rear....lol.

Some people don't have "properly tuned" ears, and think noises are coming from all sorts of places they aren't... did the shops agree the noise was from the rear and then tell you to fix stuff in the front?