Rear end clunking

[Robertch]

I have a 1999 Camry with 125,000 miles. When going over bumps, there is a loud clunking from the rear end. It does not occur much when I am alone in the car, but it is TERRIBLE when I have back seat passengers and luggage in the trunk. A dealer supposedly replaced the rear sway bar bushings, but the clunking persists. Any ideas??

[TRD VVTi]

It could be anything. First, check the struts, strut mounts, and sway bar end links.

[Kaline]

Robertch:

Jack the car up and check all the bushings. If the bushings look OK, then it is probably the strut mounts.

My wife's '99 Camry has the rear lower control arm bushings wear out at about 90K miles, only on the left side of the car. We had the entire arm assembly replaced and it has been fine ever since (at 130K right now).

Best of luck.

[toyomoho]

Have someone drive the car while you listen in the rear seat to the upper strut mounts. The mounts are under the rear deck outside of the speakers.