Hi all...

Some history:

I had an accident in Dec '02 to my rear bumper, impact/bumper bar, and driver's rear quarter panel. All were replaced. Damage was primarily to the rear left of the car.

The rattle/clunk is getting progressively worse, IMO. When my interior was in, it was hard to notice. I thought it might have been the hatch panel (which covers the rear wiper motor), but I took it off, and its louder, most likely because that panel was dampening the sound... where ever it is coming from.

Things I plan to do this weekend:

1. Take off bumper and look for bolts/plugs that are missing that would cause something to be loose.
2. Inspect rear bumper/impact bar.
3. Take off side hatch panels. (the small ones in the hatch, not the side interior panels)
4. Unbolt rear panel. The panel where the rear 'trunk bar' is... also where the child seat 'connectors' are.
5. Inspect, inspect, inspect.
6. Remove heat shields from Bpipe area of exhaust.
7. Check to make sure all exhaust hangers are attached.
8. re-torque all suspension bolts on rear suspension, lcas, sway bar, chassis stiffener bar, etc

anything else?

Sometimes it sounds like my hatch is loose and that is causing the rattle, but when I lay in the trunk and push up/down and left/right, it is not loose at all. The glass is also tight in the hatch.

I took out the spare tire, no luck. My side panels are bolted, and the sounds are definitely coming from the rear of the car, not the sides.

Also worthwhile to note is that these sounds did NOT start when I put in the rollbar or my suspension. They were amplified by the lack of interior. I have had these rattles/clunks since the accident, but with the interior they were very muffled.

Any thoughts? Has anyone had anything similar? From the outside of the car, nothing appears to be loose. I cannot 'shake' the bumper, the hatch, the wing, or anything else, which leads me to believe that something below the trunk sheet metal is causing the issue. It is very distrubing... sometimes I feel like something is going to break/fall off!! Also, no metal/rubber parts show any signs of stress or wear that would indicate unneccessary/unwanted friction, hitting, bouncing, etc.

If anyone has any experience with this... let me know.

Thanks in advance.

 

Chris...I'll help you check it out this weekend. Mine rattles (it is a 95) a lot, but usually I go through and retorque a few things...and it helps a bit. I wonder if my rattles are the same as yours.

 

I have the same problem, a slight rattling after an accident to the rear. I think it would be a good idea to go for a drive with someone in the back who can help pinpoint exactly where it's coming from.

 

"I think it would be a good idea to go for a drive with someone in the back who can help pinpoint exactly where it's coming from."

Just what I was going to say.

 

So it's not your cracked rear rotor?

 

That is that loud squealing sound.... (Rotors from Andie are coming today)

If my rotor was making a sound this loud, it would have fallen off/broke by now and I'd have other troubles.

The more I hear it... I think it is the hatch striker/latch AND the third brake light housing. I dont think either of them are lining up very well in their respective homes.

I'll look into it tonight and this weekend. I'm still feeling pretty under the weather but at least my first inclination is not to sleep at this point.

If it was only a little warmer....

 

Does your current health condition have anything to do with the stripper and those 4 rims jobs you gave last weekend?

 

LOL! Yes. I'm suprised you also don't feel sick like me.

 

What I forgot to tell you Chris...
...
When you guys went to get some food on Sat., while I stayed working on my car, I put a little gremlin under your hatch. :P

 

Just don't feed him after midnight!