Hey all, Im back again with yet another dilemma with the max. There is a knocking/clunking noise from the rear end. Ive got a 2001 GLE. Ive got Tokico Illumina's, H&R springs, and when i had the suspension installed around this time last year i had all the components replaced, such as rear strut mounts, and spring isolators.

Now the problem lies with me going over ROUGH surfaces on a side to side fashion, when ever i hit a bump or a dip i dont hear a noise in the rear end and the suspension feels like it dampnens like it should. As i have my Illumina's set to 5 all around.

But when i go over rough surfaces and the rear end kind of "wiggles" in a side to side fashion, this is when i will hear that clunking noise. The problem SOUNDS as if its coming from directly behind my rear passenger seat, but inside the trunk. It also sounds as if it could be coming from directly below the passenger seat area.

Ive rocked the hell out of the entire car, side to side...With two people, as well as did a bounce test to try and reproduce the issue, but the suspension seems nice, tight and stiff......does any one have any suggestions??

thanks

 

i had the same problem before. Over dips and such nothnig but over cracks and holes were it impacts quickly i had the noise. Did yuou install your rear sway bar. i have the progress rsb and it could be the brace that holds the bar in place on the pass side of ther axle. This was mine. i had to move it in slightly and grind a smidge of mettal of the brace and no noises now.

 

it sounds like it could be that, however I never installed my progress RSB yet lol. its still in my basement....

this noise is driving me nuts...it sounds like it could be my exhaust or something.....As I have in fact noticed that there has been excess drone

 

check the exhaust yea. look at the mid pipe and look at where the brace is that is to hold up the exhaust if it rots. My rubber mount was worn and hanging real low. I had to put the exhaust hanger thru the middle hole to get it to be away from the brace.

 

Ill give that a shot.


Here is the update before i read your post. I drove around with the rear seats downward, and the sound "seems" more refined and louder. I firmly believe that it may be coming from inside the trunk, as if it sounds like the bars that attatch to the trunk are clakning around

 

I would also suggest crawling into the trunk, pull back the trunk lining and checking the three bolts at the top of each shock assembly. I had a similar sounds coming from one of Iluminas which ended up being the "center" bolt (one down the center of the shock. Somehow it loosened itself up, and after torquing it back down noise was gone.

 

Ill give that a shot tonight, Im going to strip my subs, my amp mount, as well as that center tire cover made of MDF board that i got from the .orger that makes them.(i cant remember his username)

thanks for the insight!!! anything is appreciated

UPDATE: i cant seem to duplicate the noise when i rock the rear end of the car left to right, nor does it reduplicate when i jump up and down on the bumper. Oh and it definitely is getting more pronounced and louder.

 

yea i would check the shocks if your not sure if they might have loosened. ALso check to see if the jack is thight in its spot. i noticed mine felt tight but if i hit a pothole it made noise. gave it a rela good crank to make it real snug and tight and that is quiet now. also is your spare tire tightened up. you may think so but give it a extra twist or 2 to make not a question if the noise may be there

 

I checked the jack already and thats nice and tight. I gave the spare tire cover that i got from the .orger AN EXTRA TWIST AS WELL. Thats all fine though tonight, because I'm gonna take my amps out, my sub's, as well as the spare tire cover, the spare tire, AND THE JACK (lol)

Then im gonna test drive it, and if it cant find anything, im taking it to my mechanic TOMORROW, and im gonna tell him to check all the rear suspension componants as well as the connection betweenthe B-pipe and the muffler, because it looks pretty rusted and the b pipe DOES in fact look to be hanging a bit low

 

Hey man,

I've been a member for like, two years, and this is actually my first reply. Anyway, yes. Definitely check the exhaust. I JUST had mine repaired yesterday after an almost identical sound issue. I have an '03, and the weld broke at the flange by the muffler. I don't know if you have noticed any difference in exhaust note, because that's how I was tipped off to a problem, and within a few days, the thing completely snapped. Look underneath and see if you can move the muffler at all. That's how I found that my muffler was no longer connected to my exhaust system at all. Interesting. Got it fixed for like, $45. No big deal.

 

^^ haha

thanks bro. Ive just got it confirmed that my exhaust DOES IN FACT have a leak. I checked RIGHT AT THE B-pipe and the muffler, and i DO HEAR A SOUND as if the exhaust is droning a LOT more. PLUS THE B PIPE IS HANGING a bit more and when i rock it back in fourth while standing in front my my passenger side rear door. I can hear it clunking up against what sounds like that REAR bar on that you attach the rsb to. Im weighing my options as to whether or not i should just replace the entire catback as my entire exhaust is pretty rusted, and this will give me the excuse to do it

Right now its just leaking at the flange that conneces the muffler, and the b pipe, and the, and then its hanging a bit low and knocks around

 

Yea def. check the exhaust also check the rear mounting plates. I had my rears half *** done(knew I should have done it myself) but the the rod was banging back and forth in the mount hole until in enlongated it.

 

lol, i know im getting ready to sound like a TOTAL newb.........BUT what are rear mounting plates????

 

i'll bet too its the exhaust. i had the SAME exact sound. i was like... WTH?
wiggle the muffler all around and you'll see the pipe hit the top of the rear beam... passenger side.

I took a hose clamp and lifted up the rubber hanging mounts..
Fixed the sound, unless i REALLY have my car fully loaded and on deep dips in the road.
Other than that its fixed. .. I think after time it the rubber stretches and hangs low.

Good luck,
Anthony

As for exhaust leak, I would replace piece instead of cutting out any rusted parts and welding.

 

LOL, haha...............Thanks for the insight bro, Since my B pipe and Muffler are both rusted at the flange, and there is a leak and increased drone.......Megan racing here i come......no point in going halfway on it when i can just get it all done once

UPDATE: so i ordered the Megan Racing catback, and my mechanic quoted me 50 bucks to install it when it finally arrives

I'm gonna give the Megan muffler a few months to see if the sound/growl (extra drone) really annoys me, and if it does then im gonna get a magnaflow muffler....My stock muffler is rusted out at the flanges, and im not gonna have anything cut and welded in place

Thanks for all the help so far peeps

 

The top mount for the rear that hold it all together. 4th gen wise