Rear rattling / clunking - FirebirdV6.com/CamaroV6.com Message Board

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Rear rattling / clunking

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Rear rattling / clunking

    So I replaced the rear axle in the fall after my differential threw a bearing. I also replaced the shocks with KYB GR2's as my car has 135k and they were the decarbons (i'm guessing original). I also did the sway bar links. Repainted the control arms, panhard and springs and put everything back together. It was having quite the clunking and rattling. The clunk seemed to be when i was getting on and off the gas and the rattling was more over bumps.

    It's not too cold today so I decided to jack it up and take a look. I supported the rear by the unibody and let the suspension hang and did my best to shake everything for rattles. Only things that moved at all were the springs and the torque arm. The bolts were rather loose where the torque arm mounts to the differential so I tightened those back up. I was hoping the springs wouldn't rattle with weight on it so I took it for a spin. It seems the clunking is gone on acceleration / deceleration changes which makes sense given the loose torque arm. However there is some rattling still going over bumps.

    One thing I forgot to do when I put everything back together in the fall was tape the insulators to the tops of the springs. I also didn't keep track of which one came from left/right as I didn't think that would matter but now I'm not sure. Currently the springs are installed that when the end of the bottom of the spring is pointing towards the rear of the car the ends are on the inside. If I swapped them when pointing rearwards they would be on the outside. My springs are also original so I'm not sure if maybe they are worn and sagging and not providing enough push to keep everything seated, or if the insulators are just worn out and ratteling or if I have things switched up left to right or if the GR2's are just not enough shock and thinks are moving too quickly over bumps. (I ordered GR2's but what I recieved are labeled excel-g which from what I've read I think they renamed the low end line). I'm thinking of starting with new insulators and then going on to new springs if that doesn't do it. I'm curious if anyone thinks I'm going in the right direction or not.
    96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

  • #2
    Re: Rear rattling / clunking

    Are you sure it's the suspension rattling and not something in the hatch area? Rattling over bumps is pretty typical of F-bodies.

    I personally don't see how springs would be physically able to rattle unless you are getting air on said bumps. Could you describe the rattle a bit better?
    sigpic
    1996 Chevrolet Camaro
    1995 Buick Park Avenue Ultra
    --Appearance Moderator--

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Rear rattling / clunking

      I went on a bit of a longer trip this evening and there is not as much of a rattle as I originally thought. When it happens it sounds like something is knocking back and forth against something. I do have a bunch of crap in the car so it very well could be something in the trunk. The exhaust I have was also installed a bit close to the car and makes noise as well. The car is much more stable now on an uneven surfaces so I think the loose torque arm was most of it.
      96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Rear rattling / clunking

        Check your bumpstops. I just replaced mine and no more rattles.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Rear rattling / clunking

          for me it was my trunk latch, replaced it and now peace and silence

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Rear rattling / clunking

            Well I cleaned out the hatch area and moved anything that I thought might be bumping around. Clunks still happening. Pulled and tugged on the hatch, and bounced the suspension up and down as best I could but nothing made any noise.

            Then I thought it might not be up and down but lateral so I pulled on the driver side (the side with more noise) wheel. If I pull at the top I can get some similar clunking noise - it seems my whole rear end has side to side play. Any ideas what causes play in that range? I'm going to check out the sway bar mounts to the axle and the traction bar as I looks to me that is what would control the lateral play.
            96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Rear rattling / clunking

              With these unusually warm temps and the longer day I was able to get the car up after work.

              With the car jacked up i yanked on everything and the panhard bar was definitely loose where it connects to the axle. Put the car back down and wiggled it side to side on the rear. Still had clunking on the driver side (though less) so I tried to wiggle stuff with the car on the ground. The control arm was wiggling when on the ground (it wasn't when the rear was hanging). Popped that side up and tightened down both sides of that. Then back on the ground again and I took it for a test spin.

              Almost no rattles and it handled so much better!

              I did notice my bumpstops are pretty much shot and rotted so I'm going to get new ones. I also think some of the ratteling is from old worn bushings so I'm going to look for new bushings for the control arms and panhard bar. Do those just pop out or do I need to have them pressed?
              96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                So I'm still getting a little bit of clunking so I'm going ahead with the bushings. I'd like to also do the bolts as they are rather rusted and difficult to tighten properly. Does anyone know what size / grade I will need for the LCA's and panhard bar?

                Also looking for a source for 17mm sway bar bushings
                Last edited by MegaHertz; 04-17-2012, 10:47 AM.
                96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                  10.9 grade would be the best on your suspension.
                  08' L76 6.0L 4X4 Chevy EXT.Cab LTZ Vortec MAX with Snug top cover, Dynomax exhaust,Hptuners& K&N intake
                  96' Camaro M5 to A4 conversion, alot of mods . GT35R Turbo full suspension. Built engine

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                    I'm having trouble finding f-body specific 17mm sway bar bushings. Any reason these wouldn't work? - http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...ame&Sec=124740

                    I was planning on going with solid rubber moog bushings for the LCA's and energy poly for the PHB. New bolts from bolt-depot once I measure the length and diameter unless I find somewhere to look them up. The endlinks and shock rubber are new as of about 6 months ago. This should be just about everything in the rear suspension replaced minus the springs and sway bar. Those will wait until I have money for the front suspension and decide what I'm doing there.
                    Last edited by MegaHertz; 04-18-2012, 05:46 PM.
                    96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                      Have you tried tightening your panhard anymore? Mine was loose after doing a rear end swap and clunked over bumps. I couldn't tell it was loose just by being under the car but I was able to tighten it more and that took care of it. Since it looks like you're replacing all of that stuff anywas you'll probably be ok.

                      TEAM C6V6

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                        While I've been working on my clutch/slave replacement I've also had some of the rear end components out for a refresh. New bushings on the panhard and lca's (ES poly / moog bushings - new bolts too) . I forgot to mark orientation on dis-assembly - is position important? I tried looking up pics but wasn't very successful.
                        96 White M5 Camaro. Manual everything. Magnaflow cat, dynomax dual outlet axle back. Swapped to a disc rear with 3.42s and a torsen differential, kyb gr2 rear shocks, moog rear endlinks.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Rear rattling / clunking

                          So did you ever complete your mission on the noise?

                          Comment

                          Latest Topics

                          Collapse

                          There are no results that meet this criteria.

                          FORUM SPONSORS

                          Collapse
                          Working...
                          X