Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension

NOTE: Any noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the rear suspension.

Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to step 2 . If no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
Verify that the rear suspension is noisy. Is the rear suspension noisy? If yes, go to step 3 . If no, system is OK.
Shift the transmission into PARK. Turn the ignition OFF. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Is the complaint noise present? If yes, go to step 4 . If no, go to step 5 .
Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use a stethoscope in order to locate the source of the noise. Repair or replace the suspect component(s) as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged? If yes, go to step 6 . If no, go to step 7 .
Repair or replace any damaged components. Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear? If yes, go to step 8 . If no, go to step 10 .
Rotate the tires. Refer to TIRE ROTATION in TIRES AND WHEELS. Road test the vehicle. Is the noise now emitted from the front of the vehicle? If yes, go to step 9 . If no, go to step 10 .
Replace the tire(s) that are causing the noise. Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? If yes, go to step 20 . If no, go to step 11 .
Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in TIRES AND WHEELS. Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts? If yes, go to step 20 . If no, go to step 12 .
Raise and support the vehicle. Use your hand to push and pull the shock absorbers. Is either shock absorber loose? If yes, go to step 13 . If no, go to step 15 .
Inspect the shock absorber fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS . Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock absorber. Is the shock absorber loose? If yes, go to step 14 . If no, go to step 20 .
Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT (FE1, FE3) or SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT (FE7) . Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle tie rod. Is the rear axle tie rod loose? If yes, go to step 16 . If no, go to step 18 .
Inspect the rear adjustment link fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS . Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear adjustment link. Is the rear axle tie rod loose? If yes, go to step 17 . If no, go to step 20 .
Replace the rear adjustment link as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
1. Use an on-vehicle wheel balancer in order to spin the rear wheels.
2. Increase the wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.
  NOTE: Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.
3. Use a stethoscope in order to locate the source of the noise.
Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise? If yes, go to step 19 . If no, go to step 8 .
Replace the wheel bearing(s). Refer to WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - REAR (FE1, FE3) or WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT - REAR (FE7) . Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 20 .
Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Does the system operate normally? If yes, system is OK. If no, go to step 3 .