2002 Buick Rendezvous Rattle/Flutter Rear Suspension

[jrozanc]

I have a 2002 CXL (3.4L) 88,700 miles. Over the past couple weeks I have notice a knock?, rattle?, flutter? that seems to be coming from the right rear tire area. It makes the "noise" will hitting bumps. It almost sounds like there is a flutter in the susupension system. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I'm just going to shoot from the hip and guess maybe shock on that side might be bad. This isn't my area of expertise so any ideas would be great. Thank you.

[TopherS]

That would be my guess, too. Think back to when the car had less miles on it and try to think if there's a difference in the ride between then and now. That's another good indicator of worn shocks. It used to be that when shocks went bad, the car would bounce all over the place when hitting bumps, but a friend has a 99' Regal w/ well over 100K miles and it now rides like a tank, very punishing, due to worn struts. Either way, a difference in ride will tell you a lot. Another thing to do is check the tire. If the tire is wearing unevenly, it would also indicate bad shocks. The tire could also just simply be a bad tire w/o problems with the shocks. I had a 95' Roadmaster sedan that had brand new tires that I had "siped" (little slits in the tires, meant to improve traction...very popular here where it rains over half the year). After about 1000 miles or so, little chunks started coming out of the tire and I got a little bit of a "rattle" in the tire at certain speeds.

If you do have to replace the shocks, be sure to replace both rear shocks as a pair, not just the one. Hope this helps.

[jrozanc]

Update to my original posting.....
Since the weather has gotten cold again in Michigan the above flutter/rattle from the rear has gone away. Can warm/cold weather affect shock/struts/supsension is such a way to tighten or loosen what-ever is wrong? We bought the car in late January so during the test drive we never noticed anything. In mid March we hit a warm spell of 70 degree weather. It was then that I noticed the sound coming from the right rear tire area. Now that is has gotten cold again the sound is gone. WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TopherS]

I have noticed, with various cars that I've owned, that there is a slight difference in ride, depending on ambient temperature. My Park Avenue rides a touch softer/floatier in hot weather and tighter/harsher when cold. For me, ride is the all-important quality in a car, so I focus on these things...my wife on the other hand, will tell you she feels no such difference and would tell you I'm . I also notice differences in squeaks/rattles based on temps. Some rattles that are there with the tighter ride will go away when it's warm and the suspension is a touch softer and some rattles will appear when it's warmer outside and not be present when it's cold. All comes w/ the expansion/contraction of the parts with the change in temps.

I would recommend that you check the tires to be sure they're in good shape (with no chunks of tread missing or unusual lumps or uneven wear, and with proper tire pressure). If you find any problems with the tires, correct the issues right away. You could also rotate the tires, back to front, and see if that makes a difference,which would most likely point to a problem with the tires. Another possibility is a tire out of balance, but I would suspect that you would notice that regardless of temps, but then again...

I would also recommend that you look at the shock to see if perhaps it is leaking fluid. If so, replace the rear shocks as a pair. Good luck.

[stadlr1@sympatico.]

Italso might be the rear knuckles, $400 for each side plus labor. Lift rear of vehicle and see if there is play in the wheels, that would be it.

[jrozanc]

I ended up taking it to the garage for a oil change and an inspection. The right rear shock is bad and I need a new wheel bearing on the left rear side. The garage wants to charge me $850 for parts and labor. I probably end up getting a friend to help and and do it for a lot less.