Rear end noise question

[grump78]

I have a 99 Camry that shakes rattles and rolls over bumps from the rear end. I see some people are replacing the endlinks or endlinks and sway bar and that has cured the problem. I have a question about the suspension arms in the rear(not sure what they are really called). The one closest to the rear of the car that has what appears to be an adjustable piece(I'm assuming for the toe on an alignment) is slightly loose(I can move it back and fort with my hand about an inch or two). Does that mean that arm is bad and needs to be replaced?

Thanks,
Tim

[Mike Gerber]

They are called "rear lateral control rods" 1 and 2. I think 1 is the front-most of the 2 and number 2 is the rear-most of the 2. If you can move that one, the rubber bushing is probably shot and the rod does need to be replaced. To test them for your noise you can jack up the rear of the car and then grab the tire at 9:00 and 3:00. Try to rotate the tire in and out with your hands at those positions. If you can rotate the tire it needs to be replaced. You may also hear your noise. You will need to replace that rod and also redo the alignment.

Mike