Loose, clunk/fast rattle sound in rear driver side issue

[lbachatu809]

My 03 Camry LE has a weird clunk/rattle in the rear driver side only. This happens when i go over bad portion of road, not like potholes just uneven bad road. When the suspension moves quickly. Car has no weight in back. It sounds like something metal is loose in that side, the other side is tight and makes no noise. The struts were replaced in january by previous owner, someone told me it was the rear links which i replaced and still same issue, checked sway bar bushings and those are good. Any help with issue will be greatly appreciated, the sound is driving me nuts!!!

[pmesfun]

Were the strut mounts replaced as well? Also sounds like the center nut on the strut may be loose.

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Were the strut mounts replaced as well? Also sounds like the center nut on the strut may be loose.

No only the struts were replaced with KYB G2 (they are gray)) i still have the receipt. So if the mount is messed up it rattles and clunks with such little movements? Also the center nut you speak of is that on the top or the bottom of the strut?

[pmesfun]

Yes, they do, but that normally happens with the fronts. My front mounts are clunking too.

The center nut is at the top where the strut mount is.

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Yes, they do, but that normally happens with the fronts. My front mounts are clunking too.

The center nut is at the top where the strut mount is.

Ok thanx, i appreciate your help. When i get some time i will check for the things you mentioned and hopefully i can fix the problem.

[jcadams]

The Problem:

I had a rattle in my rear suspension (both sides) of my 2007 Camry for about a year. It would rattle was very noticeable at slow speeds when hitting even small bumps. Slow speed dirt / gravel roads were the worst. Sounded like a had a metal pry bar lying in my trunk. Has several garages look at it but no one knew what to do.

The Cause:

Found that the two bushings that connect the sway bar to the bottom of the car had a little play in them. Ever so slight gap between the metal sway bar and the surrounding rubber bushing. I could move the sway bar back and forth and see / hear a little movement. At first it didn’t seem that that was it – BUT IT WAS.

The FIX:

I fixed the rattle in the back suspension, by removing the two back sway bar bushings (one at a time) and wrapping a two inch piece of bicycle tub around the sway bar before replacing the bushing (to make the bushing fit tighter). You could I suppose replace the bushing, but because I was unsure if this what the cause of the rattle I just tried this. I still may replace the bushing, but for now this worked fine. Bushings are fairly easy to remove (two bolts). I sprayed them with light oil (I used PB Blaster), then used a air impact wrench to remove them. I suggest backing you car up on ramps to get some room and work underneath. If you don’t use ramps, and jack the car up without supporting the wheel, there is tension between the sway bar and the bushing – making it difficult to remove / replace the bushing.

This fix was immediate, I went from having a rattle in my back suspension for a year to silence. AND at no cost.

[molson.david]

I got metal ruttle in front suspention when going over plastick "bumps" dividing lines on hwy at low speed.

is it bushing? got 83K on my 2007 LE.
front bushing kind hard to reach, not like rear ones.

[jcadams]

I havent looked at my front bushings so I dont know the answer to your question. But if you can grab hold of the sway bar and move it back and forth in the bushing (while the car is on the ground, not jacked up) - it is probably the same issue. The bushings should fit snug around the sway bar, if not it will rattle.

I also have a 1995 Camry with the same problem as the 2007 Camry. Rather than trying to remove the old bolts that hold the bushing bracket on, I am going to try to insert some rubber between the bushings and the brackets (taking up the extra room). Going to try some rubber cement to make sure is stays in there.