For 1990-2009 cars

Step | Action | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | ---
DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or ROAD SURFACE.
1 | Did you review the system Descriptions and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis
2 | Important: Compare this vehicle to an identical vehicle in order to determine if the customer's concern is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle. Is the rear suspension noisy? | Go to Step 3 | System OK
3 |

1. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, shift the transmission into Park. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, block the wheels and shift the transmission into Neutral.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Verify the park brake is off.
4. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the rear suspension noisy?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4 |

1. Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use the J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.
2. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 29

--

5 |

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage.

Are any components damaged?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6 | Repair or replace any damaged components. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
7 | Inspect the rear tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels. Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 10
8 |

1. Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation in Tires and Wheels.
2. Road test the vehicle.

Is the FRONT SUSPENSION noisy?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9 | Replace the tire or the tires that are causing the noise. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting in Tires and Wheels. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
10 | Verify the park brake cables and the spare tire are secured properly. Did you service any components? | Go to Step 29 | Go to Step 11
11 | Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Inspect the wheel nuts. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts?

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 12

12 |

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the rear stabilizer shaft.

Is the rear stabilizer shaft loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 18

13 |

1. Inspect the rear stabilizer shaft fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the rear stabilizer shaft.

Is the rear stabilizer shaft loose?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 29

14 | Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is a rear stabilizer shaft link loose? | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 16
15 | Replace the rear stabilizer shaft link as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
16 | Observe the location of the stabilizer shaft looseness. Is a stabilizer shaft insulator or a bracket loose? | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 18
17 | Replace the stabilizer shaft insulator or bracket as necessary. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Replacement in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
18 | Use your hand in order to push and pull the rear struts. Is a rear strut loose? | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 21
19 |

1. Inspect the rear strut fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the rear struts.

Is a rear strut loose?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

20 | Replace the loose or worn strut components. Refer to Strut Disassemble/Assemble Repair in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
21 | Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle lower control arms. Is a control arm loose? | Go to Step 22 | Go to Step 24
22 |

1. Inspect the control arm fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle lower control arms.

Is a control arm loose?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 24

23 | Replace a control arm as necessary. Refer to Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
24 | Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arms. Is either rear axle trailing arm loose? | Go to Step 25 | Go to Step 26
25 |

1. Inspect the rear axle trailing arm fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle trailing arms.

Is either rear axle trailing arm loose?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 27

26 | Replace a trailing arm as necessary. Refer to Trailing Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
27 |

1. Verify the park brake is off.
2. Use an on-vehicle wheel balancer in order to spin the rear wheels.
3. Increase the wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.

Important: Do not allow the tools to contact any moving components.

4. Use J 39570 or equivalent in order to locate the source of the noise.

Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise?

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 8

28 | Replace the wheel bearing as necessary. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement in Rear Suspension. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 29 | --
29 | Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3