94camry: rattle in rear suspension area

[toyotamann]

I have got a 94 camry 4 door, I am getting a rattle/thump in the rear suspension area when goig over bumps, pot holes, or on gravel driveways.

I went ahead & put complete new rear spring, struts, strut mount assys last week. The link arms were shot too so we replaced them. That did not fix the problem.

I am at a loss on what the problem is, we cannot figure it out. Anyone have ideas !

[toyomoho]

Did you check the sway bar bushings?

[ShawnM]

The sway bar to body bushings. Common issue on that body style.

[Mike Gerber]

Also check the rear lateral control rods on each side for worn out bushings. The rear most rod (the one with the adjustment sleeve) seems to be the one that goes bad. Jack up the rear of the car and support it safely on jackstands. Grab the rear wheel at 3:00 and 9:00 o'clock and try to move it in and out and front to back. If you can move it, you will probably also hear the clunk. You can probably stick your head under there and see the bushing move. The only fix is to replace that control rod (dealer only part) and realign the car.

Mike

[mandyfig]

Originally Posted by toyotamann

I have got a 94 camry 4 door, I am getting a rattle/thump in the rear suspension area when goig over bumps, pot holes, or on gravel driveways.

I went ahead & put complete new rear spring, struts, strut mount assys last week. The link arms were shot too so we replaced them. That did not fix the problem.

I am at a loss on what the problem is, we cannot figure it out. Anyone have ideas !

Did you figure this one out? I have the same symptom, a thud or thump, like a hollow sound while going on pothole or uneven road, most coing from the rear right wheel area, but almost near the middle of the body.

[mandyfig]

Sway bar bushing, I fixed mine! Clunk is gone!

[camrycoupe95]

It's the sway bar bushings.....I promise. Common "issue" on the 3rd gen, the rubber rounds out and the bar rattles around.

My 95 had the same sounds when I bought it. The bushings are under $20 and can be replaced in your driveway in under an hour depending on your tech skills.

[llcoolpass]

Working at a parts place, I have noticed the most common thing people get are sway bar bushings for camry of this vintage.

[mandyfig]

Yes sirreee! I waited for months to do mine....that's what I regret, but now, I am clunk free, for now.

[maestro123]

I had this same clunking sound in the rear on my 1996 Camry, and to fix it, i had to replace the strut assembly. My sway bar bushings happened to be okay.

Just another option to look at if you're sway bar bushings are okay.

[mandyfig]

True, depends on what you have...us luckier ones, sway bar did it. The lower control arms and struts are only Toyota purchase items.....no bushings to replace....found out this weekend, went to 3 local BM auto suppliers...

[Kelly53s]

Check out seller 'turboaristo ' on ebay. He sells these for $40 each plus shipping.

[iovaykind]

Talk about thread revival

[capnblinski]

Talk about thread revival

I'll say.. I've been going through all the posts on this subject and I can't wait to replace the bushings back there - the noise sounds like the right rear passenger door is 'ajar' or the exhaust bumping the underbody or something loose in the trunk, checked that - it's all good. Whenever it's damp or wet outside, the sound is gone and the whole car feels more stable and responsive. Almost gots to be them there bushings. Once again thanks for the great info.

2000 Camry LE 5S-FE
American Edition

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54377513@N04/5034786221/

[azcat90]

On my 93 XLE V6 I replaced the rear sway bar bushings and the noise is gone! Awesome... Bought Moog bushings for $15.32 at Advance. I did torque one of the bushing strap bolts too much on the left side and broke off the bolt. Dealership charged me $51 to drill it out and put in a new bolt. I used a bit of permatex to lube it up so the bar can move free.