Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
DEFINITION: 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 next step. If no, see SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Attempt to duplicate the condition. Road test the vehicle. Did you duplicate the condition? If yes, go to next step. If no, system is OK.
- Is the noise reactive to vehicle load or speed? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 6.
- Perform the following Inspections:
- Inspect and adjust the tire inflation. Refer to TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Inspect for unusual tire wear.
- Inspect the wheel nuts for looseness. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in TIRES AND WHEELS .
- Inspect the rear wheel bearings. Refer to WHEEL BEARINGS DIAGNOSIS . If no, go to next step.
- Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise. Did you duplicate the noise? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 9.
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- Raise the vehicle. Refer to LIFTING AND JACKING THE VEHICLE .
- Inspect the rear suspension components for looseness. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS .
- Inspect the rear suspension components for damage and repair as necessary.
- Inspect the rear shock absorber. Refer to STRUTS OR SHOCK ABSORBERS ON-VEHICLE TESTING . Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 10. If no, go to next step.
- Install the J-39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent. Refer to Figure.
- Bounce the rear of the vehicle, using the J-39570 or equivalent, in order to locate the source of the noise. If necessary, road test the vehicle.
- Repair or replace any defective component as necessary.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is OK. If no, go back to step 3.