03 corolla rear struts/strut covers

[Raddman]

Got down to -5 here last night and today while going over slight potholes/bumps in the road it sounded like my rear end had no shocks/springs, especially my rear driver side sounded like the rear end wanted to come through my speakers or I had no struts, I mean it was a pounding sound on almost every bump, I checked my strut towers and everything was ok even sat in my trunk bouncing the car a few times and everything seemed ok, what do you think just too cold out or are my rear struts/springs going, it went up to +17 on the way home and it was still doing it? How can I tell, I have a 100K on my car...thanks

[toyomoho]

Get the car rocking up and down then let go. The oscillation should stop in under 2 cycles if the struts are OK.

Sound, feel or a combination. The upper strut mounts and sway bar bushings can make a lot of knocking noise when wearing out

Drive while someone in the back seat listens around the rear deck area for knocking upper strut mounts.

[Raddman]

Drive while someone in the back seat listens around the rear deck area for knocking upper strut mounts.

Thanks, I'm afraid thats what it is especially when one side sounds worse then the other, I had an 86 corolla that I hit a bump and the strut came right through the cover!

KYB has new rear struts for $95 ea. but I'll have to get someone to compress the springs!

[JasonA]

I would check the strut mounts first. If the damping feels okay, and there's no oil leaking from the struts themselves, the struts are probably okay. The the upper mounting plates could be pretty worn.