There's a tambourine-like sound that has been coming from my right rear tire for quite a while now. It makes my car sound like a clunker.

It occurs only when going over bumps or inconsistencies on the road, not when the wheel is moving. If I go over a bump only with the right rear tire, I can hear the sound. If I go over a bump with my left rear wheel, I cannot hear the sound, and if I go over a bump with *both* I hear the sound.

I thought it was my strut mount, so I took a look at it and everything looks 100% - bolts are tightened to spec and the actual mount looks fine. All the bushings down there look fine ... could it be my exhaust? That's the next thing I will be taking a look at

Has anyone experienced this before? Any pointers for me? Any comments would be very appreciated.

Edit: ib4tambourinesinmytrunk

 

Check your exhaust, could be banging around.

 

how interesting. my 02 maxima with 145k mi started making this same noise as youve described since two weeks ago.

03vqmax, i will be checking my exhaust tomorrow morning.

anything else to check?

 

Check the rear brake line(s) on each side in the rear, could be knocking against the rear beam. My car is making that noise now, I took off the brake line "C-Clips" when i did my rear pads and I haven't put them back on yet so my car is making that noise. Just something to check, may or may not be the case for your situation.

 

Check your tire jack in your trunk and see if it's anchored properly. It's in the right rear corner of the trunk above the tire.

 

i have the same noise. i feel like its bushings somewhere but havnt taken a look yet. am swapping suspension very soon so i will take a look then

 

Sorry, someone had to say it, you need more cowbell...

 

Not the exhaust :/ Strut, strut mount, and spring are all fine ... has anyone experienced this?

 

Bump

 

Have you taken the wheel off and checked the brake assembly on the right rear?

 

What should I look for, or ask the mechanic to look for? I'm handy but not too familiar with cars in general...

 

Have someone ride in the back seat with one of the seatbacks folded down to listen for the sound. Sit on the right rear and fold down the back side since it's a 60/40 fold, with the left side being the larger of the two. That way they have plenty of room to stick their head in the trunk area to help isolate the sound.

 

bump... someone has to have exp'd this

 

Get the car up on a lift and start checking stuff out. Sometimes taking a rubber mallet and gently tapping things can reveal a noise source.

 

Update: problem solved. Had to replace the rear pass caliper and bracket. Now that's quiet BUT downside is that I can hear the other squeaks crystal clear. Ugh