When I go over a decent-sized bump on a turn, I hear the butt of my car make a noise...it's kind of like a low-pitched grinding noise. Is this my struts? It's definitely not bottoming out. The car has 56k miles on it ('98 SE Auto). I haven't done any suspension work yet.

 

Hummm don't rule out rear Brakes. You might be down to the wear indicators.

 

just replaced brake pads. Rear rotors need to be replaced but I am flat broke and can't afford the parts yet.

 

check the jack, mine was lose and it made all sorts of weird noises when the rear hits a bump

 

okay I got a better listen today! It is a THUNK, not a grind, and it does seem to come from the rear of the car. Any suggestions for a cause would be appreciated...I know it's really hard to diagnose a THUNK, but I dont' trust mechanics.

I will check that jack right away, thanks!

 

Is that opportunity knocking ?
Sorry, real cheezy, but better than the other comment that came to mind !

 

heheh I wish...just got laid off. I am hearing some clunkings back there and it feels kinda weird. Prollie the back suspension is going. Once I get a new job I will save up for performance parts and just replace the stuff.

 

Yeah, read your other post, sorry to hear.
At least they did not wait till the holiday season to lay you off like our company likes to do.....I'm waiting for December to roll around again.

 

push down on the rear part of the car...does it bounce a lot when you let go? it might be struts going out on u. 56K..it's getting up there. time for a replacement set soon.

 

1) Spare tire. Is it securely fastened? Remedy: tighten.

2) Jack and jack tools. Securely fastened? Remedy: tighten.

3) Trunk lid supports (torsion bars). These may be banging against each other, possibly due to a broken or missing plastic retainer. Remedy: refasten or replace the retainer. Slit a 6" length of fuel line lengthwise and slip it onto either bar.

4) Exhaust system alignment. Annoying rattles can come from some part of the exhaust system hitting an adjacent part of the car. The exhaust system is mounted on rubber hangers, giving it some freedom to move about. When the engine is cold, grab the tailpipe and wiggle it vigorously up and down, side to side. See if this exercise can replicate the unwanted sound. Remedy: change the hangers and/or bend the metal fingers which fasten to the hangers in order to increase the clearance between exhaust pipes and car body.

5) Exhaust system heat shield. There are heat shields on some parts of the exhaust system. Sometimes one corner or one end of a heat shield breaks free. This condition gives rise to all sorts of weird intermittent rattles, buzzes, clunks. Remedy: repair or replace.

6) Muffler. It is unusual, but possible, for one of the baffles inside the muffler to break loose. This metal piece will then move about on it's own, rattling and banging as it goes. Thump the muffler with a rubber mallet. If you hear moving parts inside, something is wrong. Remedy: replace muffler.

7) Broken rubber bushing in the suspension. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on sturdy jackstands. Slide under and inspect every part of the rear suspension. Look for cracked bushings. Lower the vehicle and repeat this inspection at the rear end. Remedy: replace.

 

I had a similar problem and it was a strut bearing i think it was like $18 to fix