I'm brand new to the Toyotas as well as this forum, it looks like you got a good message board going on here.
The question I have is that I recently purchased our first Toyota, a 2001 Avalon, 47,000 miles. Our fine Ohio winters really take its toll on our roads and subsequently, car suspensions and lately I've picked up a noise in the rear suspension when we go over fairly big seams in the pavement, chuck holes, and other terrible road conditions, etc. I would not describe it as a rattle, but more of a knocking or banging noise. I have visually inspected all the linkages, torsion rod bushings, etc while the car was in the driveway, but I haven't had it on the lift yet.
Any ideas with this mileage what could be making the knocking or banging noise. At first I thought there was something loose in the trunk, but everything is good in there, it is definately suspension related. Thanks in advance
Maybe its the control arm bushings? Excessive winter driving, salts, etc. can take their toll on the bushings. When you get it up on the lift, make sure they aren't too worn out. Toyota uses these crappy rubber bushings that tend to degrade and eventually become weak. Look for some polyurethane replacements. Other than that, the only thing I can think is new shocks, but they shouldn't go bad in 50k miles.
It could also be your struts; either one of both. I have a 99 and at 130k I started hearing a knocking metal to metal noise in the rear. Sure enough the rear passenger strut was totally shot. I wasn't able to duplicate the noise by pushing the rear suspension up&down, but knew it was bad since it bounced a few times before stopping. The shaft wouldn't even stay extended. Replaced all 4 with KYBs.
I have the same problem. But i'm starting to fix it, piece by piece.
Toyotas have independant rear suspension. 4 lateral arms and 2 strut arms.
I'd start by replacing these components. The bushings that are inside the housings are pressed in, and must purchase entire arm or rod.
And remember...when ordering parts to keep in mind that these vehicles are made in both japan and north america. your VIN should tell you(1,2,4 being american made and J being japan made.) hope this helped, as you are not alone. this is driving me nuts.
Same problem with my 2003 @ 74,000mi.
1. Struts bad. Replaced. Mount plate replaced and the sway bar links were also replaced. Plus 4 wheel alignment.
Noise diminished, but still there.
2. Replaced bushings in control arm.
More noise went away, but some still exists.
3. Repair shop has now determined that the strut plate, where it attaches to the body is getting bad -- layers of steel are coming apart. Fix = welding, a very major job.
-It's been a great auto so far with only very minor repairs, so I'm keeping it until the next "cash for clunkers" comes around.
.
Update: my son in law runs a body shop and says to SELL it becuz the welding fix is such a major job.
So, took it back to repair shop to see if anything else could be wrong. They say the only other item back there is the cross-member-bushings, and that if they were bad I would experience fishtailing.
Any thoughts on this?
Any ideas with this mileage what could be making the knocking or banging noise. At first I thought there was something loose in the trunk, but everything is good in there, it is definately suspension related. Thanks in advance
My rear bushings, struts and mounts were shot at 60k, while the fronts are still orignal at 124k. Your case sounds typical. These cars last a long time, if you can keep the sludge from forming. Pcv replacement and short OCI !
I drive a 2001 XLE about to hit 280K. Over the past handful of years, I have had rear banging noises over certain bumps. The replacement of the typical parts, including struts (Toyota dealer warranty), bushings, sways, etc. improved, but never solved the problem. At least two dealers and other mechanics could find nothing else wrong and were stumped. The service person @ one dealer tried to convince me that the noise was caused by an empty glass flower vase I had in the trunk.
Recently, I started asking whether there were any parts connecting the chassis to the rear assembly and got nowhere with that until a collision shop friend referred me to a local mechanic he said can diagnose just about anything.
He road tested my car and brought it back to his shop to check it out visually. After two hours labor, he found that the bolts connecting the Trailing Arms were stripped and all that was needed were new bolts. (He had never seen this before).
$140 and she is riding like nearly new again.
If all else fails, check out your Trailing Arm bolts.
On to 300K.
The Following User Says Thank You to LotsaToyotas For This Useful Post:
anybody else with some info on this problem? i just went over 100k on my avy and started hearing some clunking or rattling noise coming from the rear suspension. i'd like to know as much as i can before tackling this issue.
I drive a 2001 XLE about to hit 280K. Over the past handful of years, I have had rear banging noises over certain bumps. The replacement of the typical parts, including struts (Toyota dealer warranty), bushings, sways, etc. improved, but never solved the problem. At least two dealers and other mechanics could find nothing else wrong and were stumped. The service person @ one dealer tried to convince me that the noise was caused by an empty glass flower vase I had in the trunk.
Recently, I started asking whether there were any parts connecting the chassis to the rear assembly and got nowhere with that until a collision shop friend referred me to a local mechanic he said can diagnose just about anything.
He road tested my car and brought it back to his shop to check it out visually. After two hours labor, he found that the bolts connecting the Trailing Arms were stripped and all that was needed were new bolts. (He had never seen this before).
$140 and she is riding like nearly new again.
If all else fails, check out your Trailing Arm bolts.
On to 300K.
Thanks but - TOO late for me - I traded it in on a Chev.Equinox in April 2011. (needed AWD)
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