[Artbuc1]

Re 1999 Toyota Avalon with 133k miles

I am trying to identify the source of a banging noise which sounds like a lug wrench loose in the wheel well. It happens rarely with just the right combo of speed and bump. Unfortunately, one of those rare spots is 1/2 mile from my house and I hit it every time I go out. Thought it was rear lateral control arms but it is not. Stabilizer bar end links are rock solid Deeza's - only 4 years old w/20k miles. Stabilizer bar bushings were replaced a few years ago. They still look great but I have ordered new ones for kicks and giggles. Noise disappears if I remove one end link from either side. The bar is slightly worn (smaller diameter) at the bushings but does not seem enough to cause a problem. Have carried a few heavy loads of stuff in the trunk over the years but would not think that would be a big deal. Is it possible that stabilizer bars fatigue or bend over the years? I believe the noise is the stabilizer bar hitting the sub frame or somehow, with both end links in place, load transfer to the struts is causing the strut or strut mount to make the noise. Replaced original struts about 40k miles ago with KYB with Toyota OEM mounts. Thanks in advance for any ideas.


PS Posting here because much more traffic and suspensions are identical.

 

[mcgowaw]

did you check the wheel well to ensure nothing's loose in there? spare tire, jack, wrench?
might have to jack up the rear off the ground and hit around with a rubber mallot and see what moves in ways it's not supposed to. i assume you torque'd the big center bolts on them replaced struts to 55ft lbs, even though the manual sez something light like 30 or so?
tony

 

[Kingdom934]

Noise disappears if I remove one end link from either side. The bar is slightly worn (smaller diameter) at the bushings but does not seem enough to cause a problem.

If the noise disappears when you remove the end link, the rear sway bar is not under any load. I would look to this to see if something (end links or bushing) is bad.

You could try put Teflon tape on the part where the bar meets the rear rubber bushing to give it extra 'thickness'. Might be the RSB is bouncing around. This is only a temporary fix. My 1998 Camry V6 does this. For me I'm stuck in a predicament because the TRD sway bar bushings are no longer available.

 

[Artbuc1]

did you check the wheel well to ensure nothing's loose in there? spare tire, jack, wrench?
might have to jack up the rear off the ground and hit around with a rubber mallot and see what moves in ways it's not supposed to. i assume you torque'd the big center bolts on them replaced struts to 55ft lbs, even though the manual sez something light like 30 or so?
tony

Yes, have driven car with everything stripped out of trunk. Do not recall actual torque but it was whatever the FSM called for. If it were a loose strut bolt or bad mount, why would the noise disappear when I remove one of the end links?