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 so, go to step 2 . If not, go to SYMPTOMS - SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS .
Verify that the rear suspension is noisy. Is the rear suspension noisy? If so, go to step 3 . If not, 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 so, go to step 4 . If not, go to step 5 .
Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 20 .
Raise and support the vehicle. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage. Are any components damaged? If so, go to step 6 . If not, go to step 7 .
Repair or replace any damaged components. Did you complete the repair? If so, 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 so, go to step 8 . 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 step 9 . If not, go to step 10 .
Replace the tires that are causing the noise. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 20 .
Ensure that the park brake cable is secured properly. Did you service any components? If so, go to step 20 . If not, go to 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 so, go to step 20 . If not, 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 so, go to step 13 . If not, go to step 15 .
Inspect the shock absorber fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock absorber. Is the shock absorber loose? If so, go to step 14 . If not, go to step 20 .
Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER . Did you complete the repair? If so, 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 so, go to step 16 . If not, go to step 18 .
Inspect the rear axle tie rod fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . 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 step 17 . If not, go to step 20 .
Replace the rear axle tie rod as necessary. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 20 .
1. Start the engine with the drive wheels off of the ground.
2. Shift the transmission into Drive.
  WARNING: Do not spin the drive wheels faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) as indicated by the speedometer. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one half of the actual wheel speed when one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped. Personal injury and damage may result from high speed spinning.
  
  NOTE: This step will require the assistance of another person to maintain the drive train speed. Do not use the cruise control to maintain the drivetrain speed.
3. Increase the drive wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.
  NOTE: Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.
4. Use J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise.
Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise? If so, go to step 19 . If not, go to step 8 .
Replace the wheel bearings. Refer to HUB & BEARING . Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step 20 .
Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Does the system operate normally? If so, system is OK. If not, go to step 3 .