Occasionally on cold mornings when I drive over my neighbourhood speed humps, I hear a strange sound coming from my rear suspension, like a thunk. After the suspension warms up, there is no more sound going over humps. I crawled under the car to check the shocks, rubber, bushings, etc. Cant seem to see anything wrong. No oil leak from the shocks either. But there is a little bit of exterior wear on the top of the shock absorber (where the rod comes out of the piston). This part is usually covered by the rubber boot, but when I jack the rear up, the strut becomes exposed. Car is 2000 camry 2.2L with 90,000km. I did the tradional bounce test on the suspension. Shocks seems to work fine with no unusual noises. Is it mostly likely the rear shocks dying? The rear suspension has taken a beating the last almost 6 years. It frequently bottoms out easily when there are 5 adults in the car. Is it about time to change all 4 shocks anyway? Thanks for your advice.
Need advice on shocks.
- Thread starter Ken4
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1992-2001 Camrys experience rear shock absorber noise at some point in their life. I don't remember what the exact issue was, but I always understood that it typicaly did not cause any problems. When you have your shocks/struts replaced, you may want to consider new springs as well, at least in the rear. Also, while the shock/spring assembly has been removed, the tech may be able to better view what your particular noise issue is, and replace faulty/worn parts. In the mean time, do some shopping around for replacement shocks/struts and make sure that your purchace the ones that best fit your needs because there are tons of after market shocks out there and this can get confusing.
Check the top mopunting bolt for the rear shock. These are often loose or just "not tight enough". Even a slightly loose nut can cause a rather disproportionately large thud sound.
And by tight, I mean really tight. 3/4 drive socket and leaning into it with all your might tight.
Ask me how I found this out......
And by tight, I mean really tight. 3/4 drive socket and leaning into it with all your might tight.
Ask me how I found this out......
KenW- how did you find this out?
(rimshot)
well, it took me days to find the noise after replacing my shocks.......it never did sound like that was where it was coming from. The only way I found it was to let the wife drive while I sat in the back seat and hunted it down like a dog. I could see small movements in the shock nut that corresponded to the thud sound even tho I had tightened it considerably.
more tight = more better.
well, it took me days to find the noise after replacing my shocks.......it never did sound like that was where it was coming from. The only way I found it was to let the wife drive while I sat in the back seat and hunted it down like a dog. I could see small movements in the shock nut that corresponded to the thud sound even tho I had tightened it considerably.
more tight = more better.
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