Clunk in the rear...???

[p2536142]

I just bought my 99 continental three days ago, I love it; however, it has a strange clunk coming from the rear suspension when I go over even small bumps. I worked in a restoration shop for five year, and I looked this thing up and down and cannot find the source. The air ride seems fine, all bushings look good.

The dealer who sold me the car told me today that the noise is common and comes from the ride hight sensor. He said it can be fixed with some heavy greese.Does any have this problem, fixed this problem, or know where and what this sensor is??? Thank you all for you time.

Pete

[cougar214]

I have a 99 conti and it doesnt make any rear end noise....the ride hight sensor looks like a tiny shock .you have one on both sides just behind the wheel.It is common for them to come loose and hang there but packing one with grease?....ummm.....no.

[p2536142]

Ok, thank you, that is good to know, I will play with them to see if they are loose. I have read a few posts on this site and most are saying that it is a bushing problem, but like I said, the bushings all look in good shape. Does anyone know where to start if it is not the hight sensor.

Thank you all again.

[cougar214]

If its not the sensors or any of the bushings the only other place you can look is the shocks......the airbags give you a good ride but they dont do it alone......the shocks do some work too....I would check them next.

[Johnny Mullet]

Also check the rear swaybar links.

[p2536142]

Is there an easy way to check for a few of these things with out pulling it all apart??? Thanks all.

[Towncar]

Easy.. not really. Maybe the spare in the trunk is flopping around.

[p2536142]

Good news... you were right. I checked the sway bar again, this time with a little more force. It truned out to be the problem(Thankfully only a $30 problem at that). Thanks again all.

[Towncar]

With that annoyance out of the way, how do you like the 1999 model?

[p2536142]

I love the 1999. Before I got this one I test drove about 7 of them ranging from 97-2000. The 99 has the least listed problems and the cheepest prices for the miles and age ratio I formulated haha. It was not as complicated as I am making it, this one just happend to be a very nice car for the money.

PS. Does anyone have any advice on transmission flushing. I am planing on have the trans drained and a new filter put in. Does anyone have any compelling reason to have it flushed on top of just the normal fluid change???

Thanks again for your time.
Pete...

[Johnny Mullet]

If it has over 100,000 miles on it, I would do the pan gasket and filter. Sometimes a complete flush on older trannies cause problems.