My '96 I30 just developed a new weird sound when hitting potholes or uneven road, it's a clank-clank sound, I just checked suspension and nothing is wrong back there, what can it be ? Any suggestions ???

 

Ok my NISSAN friend; let’s start with something easy here.

Ok so you do get metallic nose from somewhere I in the back of your I30, right?
1) A. Could you get under the car and make sure that ALL the clamps on the exhaust pipe are not loose.
If they are than every time you would hit a bump on the road you would hear like something is really loose. And it will not give you any symptoms if you shake the car while standing.
B. Look at your muffler and shake it (make sure it’s cold first) and it doesn’t make any touchy metallic nose?

2) Since the REAR suspension is really easy on MAXIMAS there for easy on I30.
Here is the list of the things that might have a problem with Rubber bushing bushings.
Trailing arm.
Shock absorber rubber bushings.

3) May sound stupid BUT check your spare tire! I mean that sometime due to the vibration it gets loose in the trunk so if metallic rod isn’t tightened well, it will make a nose that sounds like a suspension problem.
Make sure you take it out and put the tire back REALLY nicely.

Brakes and all that stuff could be the source, BUT lets see if the first 3 things are fine. Also I know that you said that you suspension is fine. Just check again. After all you love your car, right?

Ok, drive safe, let me know how it goes.

 

Forget to mention that when I press the brake over the bumps the clank sound stops ! I'll check any way the bushings and muffler clamps and everything back there, and let my mechanic take a look at the brakes. And Yes Of course I LOVE THIS CAR !