Help me diagnose a clacking sound from rear

[iamsam]

all those bushings need to be replaced and the diff bushing is most likely your noise youre hearing. Since the diff is bolted to the subframe and the bushings in both the subframe and diff are bad, that would cause up and down movement. Replace ALL YOUR REAR BUSHINGS. It will be costly but it wont have to be done for another 20 years.

and to answer your direct question, no your subframe mounts should NOT move that far. There should be no visible up and down play in the subframe bushing.


looks like you have some buying and some work to do.

good luck


Taylor

Thanks! You da man!! Yeah I priced out Powerflex bushings for EVERYTHING, total came to $369. whoooo......

Maybe I'll just do all the rear bushings for now, since the front CABs and swaybar end links can be done independently.

I have also been researching the bushing replacement methods, and it looks pretty involved and time consuming, I'll have to find a place to do it an another car to drive in the meantime.

And if it isn't the bad bushings doing this noise, then maybe the true problem will reveal itself during the process.

[E30_fiend]

all those bushings need to be replaced and the diff bushing is most likely your noise youre hearing. Since the diff is bolted to the subframe and the bushings in both the subframe and diff are bad, that would cause up and down movement. Replace ALL YOUR REAR BUSHINGS. It will be costly but it wont have to be done for another 20 years.

and to answer your direct question, no your subframe mounts should NOT move that far. There should be no visible up and down play in the subframe bushing.


looks like you have some buying and some work to do.

good luck






Taylor

[iamsam]

So the bad bushings wouldn't cause it?

[vectorsc]

Look for a hit mark above your differential. Clacking sound is strange though - very unusual.

It could also be something in your diff going clacky clack.

[iamsam]

Update

So first I removed the battery and tray, and discovered a nut, among other things bouncing around down there. But that didn't turn out to be the problem, the clacking sound was still there afterwards, loud as ever.

So I started checking stuff. I checked the brake caliper, the bolts seemed tight, and I wiggled it with a crowbar.

Next up, I discovered a nice tear in my CV boot. I wiggled the half shaft but couldn't produce a clunking sound.


So then I got to inspecting the bushings. Whooo are they bad!! Here is the subframe bushing:


So here is where I need your expertise. Are the subframe bushings supposed to have this much up and down movement? I placed a jack stand on the subframe and the jack on the car jacking point (not the subframe) so I can either put the car's weight on the subframe or lift all the weight off the subframe. Note the amount of play in the bushing, about an inch and a half.

Jack supporting the car, no weight on the jackstand on the left:


Jack not supporting the car, car's weight on the subframe and on the jackstand on the left:


And here is the diff bushing:


Rear trailing arm bushing (they all looked like this). I could get significant side-to-side movement in these bushings using a crowbar:


Swaybar and links:



So.... Can the clanking be these bushings?

Thanks again guys.

[iamsam]

did you check the caliper bracket bolts???

will do tomorrow, along with the other suggestions above.

[E30_fiend]

did you check the caliper bracket bolts???

[884door]

yeah its in the original post.

Sorry I missed that in skimming through, saw 15x7 and RSM and thought wheels.:loco:

I even searched the thread for shock and mount to make sure I wasn't repeating someones post. lol

[iamsam]

And I supposed to know that?

yeah its in the original post. well, not the fact that they are pretty new, but the fact that I have them

[884door]

dude. they are pretty much brand new IE billet aluminum mounts w/ poly bushings.

And I was supposed to know that?

Noise start before or after installing them?

[iamsam]

Check the rubber mounts atop your rear shocks where they bolt into the trunk?

dude. they are pretty much brand new IE billet aluminum mounts w/ poly bushings.

[884door]

Check the rubber mounts atop your rear shocks where they bolt into the trunk?

[iamsam]

Listen find a parking lot and do 360's both left and right If there is no clanking you may have a broken shock. If it only happens going over bumps somthing is loose or broken. Also check differential and Tranny mounts.

I'll have to try this. I know the diff bushing is on its way out, and i'll have to check all the bolts to see if any have backed out.

are all your exhaust hangers intact?

Loose muffler?

I don't think so, I installed a new muffler about a year ago, but I will check

I think I may have the answer to your problem. Go ahead and check the brake caliper bracket bolts. They are known for backing out at least I have seen it happen a few times. Caliper bracket bolts arent something you usually think to inspect and also they are easily overlooked when inspecting CV boots and the like. Check that then check back.

My right rear brakes are wearing the rotor funny, has been doing it since I bought the car, the brakes seem only to be contacting half the rotor....

[E30_fiend]

I think I may have the answer to your problem. Go ahead and check the brake caliper bracket bolts. They are known for backing out at least I have seen it happen a few times. Caliper bracket bolts arent something you usually think to inspect and also they are easily overlooked when inspecting CV boots and the like. Check that then check back.






Taylor

[619E30]

Loose muffler?