*Clunk* Noise From Rear End Going Over Speed Bump

[WingsAA]

Other than being located in the rear, not sure I know what those are.

The rear trailing arms that connect to the axle from the body of the truck. There are upper arms and lower arms. Start with the lower arms and check the bolts to make sure they are tight.

 

[YukonCrazy]

I have to change the sound it is making. It's less of a clunk and more of a rubber chicken **whine** sound. I believe it's coming more from the shock/strut location. I tried jumping up and down on the back bumper, but it wouldn't do it.

Here are a few underside pics...

 

[livingez_123]

Maybe the E brake cable and the wire hold up support ?

 

[YukonCrazy]

I think it's going to be hard to diagnose. It's a little difficult to be under the car while it's rolling over a speed bump.

Based on it happening over bumps (speedbump, backing out of drieway), I highly suspect something with the springs. It's annoying.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I have had the same thing for a while now....checked for loose items but so far no luck...I really hope its not the pinion bearing...Scotty is yours lowered at all? wondering if that has anything to do with it

No, I am at stock height. I drove it for about 4-5 months with that clunk because I seriously thought it wasn't serious. I thought it was just a shock or suspension bushing. I was very shocked when they told me that my rear end had to be rebuilt. But after reading online, it seems that this happens more than you would think. A LOT of people have had to get their rear end rebuilt or replaced between 100k and 150k miles. Mine went at 88k miles.

 

[YukonCrazy]

I may have to take to the dealer to diagnose the problem. Hopefully they can tell me what it is.

 

[Anonymous]

Not positive, but that spring doesn't look seated correctly. It could be rubbing on the isolater and "climbing" up it and then popping back into place when you hit a bump.

 

[YukonCrazy]

Looking at the right rear spring, I am not sure how to remove one of these. Or, maybe this is best done by a professional? It looks like there is some piece of hardware on the top and a different piece of hardware on the bottom of the spring. I assume the spring itself is fine, but maybe the top and/or bottom pieces may be the problem?

 

[Anonymous]

That "hardware" is the spring isolators. Basically rubber bushings which go between the spring and axle/frame to quite the ride and stop metal to metal contact. They are held in by the spring. There don't appear to be any spring retaining brackets, so everything is held by spring compression force.

Supporting the axle with a jack, unbolting the shocks and lowering the axle usually drops it down far enough to remove the springs by hand. If they cannot be pulled by hand DO NOT try to pry them out. Use an internal spring compressor to compress the spring and remove it.

After removing the springs, check the isolators for holes, rub spots, or other damage. Replace if needed.