Help: Rear suspension weird noise?

[mrtwo]

I have been dealing with this weird noise for some time. I can hear the noise sounds like two pieces of heavy metal hitting each other. It sounds from the right rear area. It happens more often when speed is low say 30 mph on rough road. On highway, it does not happen as often.

I sent my car to my mechanics. He changed rear struts, right strut mount, right stabilizer bar link. And checked stabilizer bar bushings. A lot of labor has been spent but the noise is still there. Anyone know what it can be?

[Brian R.]

Does it make the noise occasionally or repeatedly and fast on a rough road?

[mrtwo]

It is hard to describe. Sometimes, it is occasionally. Sometimes, it is repeatedly, e.g. before a red light where the road is rough due to all the braking during hot weather.

[nipsirc]

It is your brakes. Must be the drums or the calipers are hitting metal.

[Brian R.]

Get as far under the car as possible - both sides - and have someone hefty bounce the suspension up and down while you try to locate the area or specific part making the noise.

[Brian R.]

Check your muffler/exhaust pipe hangers also.

[mrtwo]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Get as far under the car as possible - both sides - and have someone hefty bounce the suspension up and down while you try to locate the area or specific part making the noise.

Thanks. But first I will sit in the car to hear if there is noise. I can not hear anything when I press the rear bumper up and down.

[mrtwo]

Originally Posted by nipsirc

It is your brakes. Must be the drums or the calipers are hitting metal.

It happens no matter I use brake or not

[Brian R.]

Could it be something in your trunk?

[mrtwo]

Originally Posted by nipsirc

It is your brakes. Must be the drums or the calipers are hitting metal.

I think it is possible. We may have looked at the wrong place. My rear brake is drum. What metal can it hit?

[mrtwo]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Could it be something in your trunk?

Congratulations to be a fanatic Before this a mechanic took all the stuff out the trunk and suggested me to change struts and mounts. There is water under my spare tire so I am going to take all stuff out and try again. BTW is that mean my trunk is leaking and the waste can enter the cabin?

[Brian R.]

Hard to say from my perspective. Nothing should get in your trunk. Probably a seal problem on the lid.

[Mike Gerber]

mrtwo,

When the mechanic took everything out of your trunk, did that include the jack and the jack handle? If not, make sure the are securely tightened.

Mike

[mrtwo]

This morning I took everything out to drain the water and took a test drive and the noise is still there.
I also noticed it will make one big noise when it runs over a large pit. It makes repeated but smaller noise on slightly rough road particularly on concrete road (the road looks pretty smooth though and i was driving at around 15 mph). There is no noise on really smooth road.
I also made a small bump and drive over it one wheel after another I was able to tell the noise is from the rear. Also the noise is louder from right side. I also feel the noise is louder when driving forward than backward.
My mechanics said something might have happened every time when the tire runs over a bump and is pushed up.
I probably should have stopped from the beginning but now I just can not stop.

[tanuong]

You have to buy an aftermarket strut because the same happened to me.