'97 Lumina: Rear Struts or Shocks?

[Street18]

I have a '97 Lumina and there's a squeaky noise at the back of the car every time I go over a speed bump or small crack in the road, do I need to replace the shocks or struts? This is my first time hearing this noise.

Thanks

[Blue Bowtie]

You might want to check the upper strut mounts in the trunk. They may be compressed and ineffective. The struts themselves may or may not be bad, but they have to be removed to change the strut mounts, so...

[Street18]

So, I'd be able to change the strut mounts without changing the whole strut itself?
Thanks for the reply and picture btw.

[manicmechanix]

Originally Posted by Street18

So, I'd be able to change the strut mounts without changing the whole strut itself?
Thanks for the reply and picture btw.

Yes you would have to disassemble the assembly either way. It's probably the strut mount but if you go through all the work of dissambling the strut it might be a good idea to replace the strut. I'd probably bounce the rear up and down and if the struts seemed firm, I'd probably just replace the strut mounts, unless I could find good new ones cheap.