Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension

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.

1. Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS  .
2. Verify that the rear suspension is noisy. Is the rear suspension noisy? If yes, go to next step. If no, system is okay.
3. 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 next step. If no, go to step  5 .
4. Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. See SPECIAL TOOLS  . Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary. After repairs, go to step  21 .
5. Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  7 .
6. Repair or replace any damaged components. After repairs are complete, go to step  21 .
7. 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 next step. If no, go to step  10 .
8. Rotate the tires. Road test the vehicle. Is the noise now emitted from the front of the vehicle? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  10 .
9. Replace the tires that are causing the noise. After repairs are complete, go to step  21 .
10. Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? If yes, go to step  21 . If no, go to next step.
11. Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts? If yes, go to step  21 . If no, go to next 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 next step. If no, go to step  15 .
13. Inspect the shock absorber fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock absorber. Is the shock absorber loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  21 .
14. Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. After repairs, go to step  21 .
15. 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 next step. If no, go to step  18 .
16. Inspect the rear axle tie rod fasteners. Tighten as necessary. 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 next step. If no, go to step  21 .
17. Replace the rear axle tie rod as necessary. Refer to REAR . After repairs, go to step  21 .
18. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle upper and lower control arms. Is either rear axle upper and lower control arm loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  21 .
19. Inspect the rear upper and lower control arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle upper and lower control arm. Is either rear axle upper and lower control arm loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  21 .
20. Replace any worn or loose rear axle upper and lower control arms. After repairs, go to next step.
21. Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to step  3 .