Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Buick Regal and 2002 Buick Century. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Any noise from the rear of the vehicle that is induced by Vehicle Speed or Driving Terrain as related to the rear suspension.
NOTE:
It may be necessary to compare this vehicle to a identical vehicle to determine if the customer's complaint is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle.
- 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 .
- Verify that the rear suspension is noisy. Is the rear suspension noisy? If yes, go to next step. If no, 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 heard? If yes, go to next step. 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. After repairs, go to step 23 .
- 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 .
- Repair or replace any damaged components. After repairs, 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 yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 10 .
- 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 .
- Replace the tire(s) that are causing the noise. After repairs, go to step 23 .
- Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? If yes, go to step 23 . If no, 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 yes, go to step 23 . If no, 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 yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 15 .
- Inspect the strut fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull the strut. Is the strut loose? If yes, go to step 15 . If no, go to step 23 .
- Replace the loose or worn strut. Refer to the following: Strut, Strut Component and/or Spring Replacement in Front Suspension or Strut Assembly Replacement in Rear Suspension. After repairs, 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 yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 18 .
- 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 23 .
- Replace the rear axle tie rod as necessary. After repairs, go to step 23 .
- Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arm. Is either rear axle trailing arm loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 21 .
- Inspect the rear axle trailing arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arm. Is either rear axle trailing arm loose? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 23 .
- Replace any worn or loose rear axle trailing arm bushings. After repairs, 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 a stethoscope in order to locate the source of the noise. Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 8 .
- Replace the wheel bearing(s). Refer to Wheel Bearing/Hub Replacement - Rear in Rear Suspension. After repairs, go to step 1 .
- Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Does the system operate normally? If yes, system is okay. If no, go to step 3 .
NOTE:
Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.