Back end troubles...Suspension? 1999 Lesabre

[coogs]

knocking and "creeking noise" on the back end- rpsngr rear tire area- does it over road bumps and even when turning left... very profound - started recently and got worse in a matter of days... took it to the shop and the mech said I needed both rear struts and that the noise was actually coming from the bushings... I think on the control arms...?? said there were 4 of them . Seems odd that they would go and admitedly he sated that he doesnt often see this... they want 5 hrs labour to do all the work.. parts on top of that and a wheeel alignment ... looking at 1K all in which I dont really have... They lubed the bushing which seems to have taken care of the noise for now but likley that wont last... Does this sound right to you experts? what should I do? Anything I can do myself? ( Mech said the busings need to be pressed in and out??)

thanks Greg

[maxwedge]

We cannot confirm their diagnosis from here, but what you stated sounds right, except is the noise in the strut mounts or the bushings, can't see it being both.

[coogs]

theyre telling me its the bushings... they lubed them up and the noise has gone away.. looks like they simply sprayed them with WD40 or something similar... at the same time they tell me the struts are shot... how can I tell if I really really need struts? When I jump down on the bumper it bounces a few times but then settles out.. thnks

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by coogs

how can I tell if I really really need struts? When I jump down on the bumper it bounces a few times but then settles out.. thnks

You just answered your own question. When you "jump down on the bumper" it should return to home position immediately, not after a it bounces a "few times".

[Andreas E.]

The rear struts are actually fairly easy to replace. If you mark the location of the old struts, you may not even need an alignment done.