Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension

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: Required Tools: Chassis Ear (J-39570).

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, then 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 in order to locate the source of the noise. Repair or replace the suspect component(s) as necessary. After repair, 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 next step. If not, go to step 7 .
Repair or replace any damaged components. After repair, 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 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 tire(s) that are causing the noise. After repair, go to step 20 .
Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? If so, go to step 20 . If not, go to next step.
Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in TIRES AND WHEELS. Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts? If so, go to step 20 . If not, go to next step.
Raise and support the vehicle. Use your hand to push and pull the struts. Is either strut loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 15 .
Inspect the strut fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in REAR SUSPENSION. Use your hands in order to push and pull the strut. Is the strut loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 20 .
Replace the loose or worn strut. Refer to STRUT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT in REAR SUSPENSION. After repair, go to step 20 .
Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arm. Is either rear axle trailing arm loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 18 .
Inspect the rear axle trailing arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to FASTENER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS in REAR SUSPENSION. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arm. Is either rear axle trailing arm loose? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 20 .
Replace any worn or loose rear axle trailing arm bushings. After repair, go to step 20 .
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. DO NOT allow the J 39570 to contact any moving components. Use a J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise. Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 8 .
Replace the wheel bearing(s). Refer to WHEEL BEARING/HUB REPLACEMENT -- REAR in REAR SUSPENSION. After repair, go to next step.
Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to step 3 .