Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT and 2002 Cadillac Escalade. 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 so, go to next step. If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
- Verify that the rear suspension is noisy. Is the rear suspension noisy? If so, go to next step. If not, system is okay.
- 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 so, go to next step. If not, go to step 5 .
- 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 are complete, go to step 23 .
- Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 7 .
- Repair or replace any damaged components. After repairs are complete, go to step 23 .
- 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 so, go to next step. If not, go to step 10 .
- Rotate the tires. Road test the vehicle. Is the noise now emitted from the front of the vehicle? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 10 .
- Replace the tires that are causing the noise. After repairs are complete, go to step 23 .
- Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? If so, go to step 23 . If not, go to next step.
- 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 so, go to step 23 . If not, go to next step.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Use your hand to push and pull the shock absorbers. Is either shock absorber loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 15 .
- 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 so, go to next step. If not, go to step 23 .
- Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. After repairs are complete, go to step 23 .
- Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle tie rod. Is the rear axle tie rod loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 18 .
- Inspect the rear axle track bar fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle track bar. Is the rear axle track bar loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 23 .
- Replace the rear axle track rod. After repairs are complete, go to step 23 .
- Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle control arms. Is either rear axle control arms loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 21 .
- Inspect the rear axle control arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle control arm. Is either rear axle control arm loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 23 .
- Replace any worn or loose rear axle control arm bushings. After repairs are complete, go to step 23 .
- Use an on-vehicle wheel balancer in order to spin the rear wheels. Increase the wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level. Use J-39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise. See SPECIAL TOOLS . Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 8 .
- Inspect/Replace the wheel bearings. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system is okay. If not, go to step 3 .
NOTE:
Do not allow the J-39570 or equivalent to contact any moving components.