1997 Lumina End Links

[daone_19]

I had a noise coming from the rear of the car. The mechanic said the struts need to be replaced. I paid 400 to get them put in and the noise is still occurring. Now its the stabilizer end links. Are these something that need to be changed right away? If so, how much would it run me approxiametely?

Thanks

[mp1642]

What kind of noise is occurring? A clunking or a creaking type noise? When does it make the noise ( over bumps? ) How do you recreate the noise?----- If you are bringing your vehicle in to a dealer or independant repair facility these are the types of questions you will want to relay and answer to the service advisor. Better yet ask to road test your vehicle with the tech or service advisor. These types of things eliminate the so called shop comebacks, or what the customer might think is as not fixed right.

If your experiencing a clunking type noise it could be one or two common problems. 1) The rear strut mounts--- This is the most common failure or wear item and will cause a creaking and or clunking type noise ( the tech may not of replaced these when replacing the struts ) I would assume if you had a noise complaint he replaced the struts and mounts because the mounts are only about $35-$45 each and you have to take them out when replacing struts.

2) Is the most likely culprit in your case and would cause clunking type noises from rear would be the sway bar bushings. The approx. cost is about $25-$60 for parts and approx. $70-$140 for labor ( depending on your geographical area and labor rates )

Note that sometimes with noise complaints there may be more than one problem and you have to replace the obvious component first and may not see or hear the less obvious noise causing component. So again it is very importrant to relay as much information as you can to your dealer or independant service facility to efficiently diagnose and repair your vehicle. ( will save you money too )
I would recommend that you have the repair facility do a complete suspension inspection. Most dealer and independant repair facilities will do a multi-point inspection for free.

Here is a link to a description of the sway bar bushings/links: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us...rInfoPages.htm

[Bearwulf]

Would need to hear & see but have the trailing arm bushings checked also.

[daone_19]

Yup you were right. It was a kind of clunking noise, but after the rear struts were reaplced the noise wasnt as loud but still there. It wasnt the stabilizer links. The mechanic took it out for a ride and checked the car out. It was actually the muffler that got loose from the clamps. He just reclamped it for us.
Thanks for your help.