Rear suspension noise + jumps/skips over bumps

supraguy@aol

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2005
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Atlanta
p1814463_1.jpg
 

pablo94sc

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
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TN
Nice! I'm going with KYB, but for a stock replacement shock it's really hard to beat a $60 rebate (for 4).

Anyone have any leads on cheap upper shock mounts? It looks like I should replace mine and the best price I've found so far is about $33ea.
 

pablo94sc

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
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TN
That's actually where I found out about the Monroe rebate. I was just wondering if anyone had found a lower priced option. Seems every is in the $35 range for the upper strut mount, but it just seemed odd that they would be the same price as the struts themselves.

Parts Geek has lower ball joints in the $20s, and upper control arms under $60, so I decided I'm going to replace those too when I do the front struts.
 

pablo94sc

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
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Quick question - do I need to jack the car up on the lower rear suspension when I tighten the lower shock mount to the control arm? It was mentioned the bushings will tear apart on certain parts if the suspension isn't weighted, ie upper control arms, but I can't see a way to tighten the shock without a couple of jacks and prayer. LOL
 

Moy

It's broken...
Aug 6, 2008
2,432
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Beach Park, IL
tighten the bolt on the lower shock mount, but don't torque it to spec. mount the wheel, tighten the lugs. remove from the jack stands and set the car back on it's own weight. push down on the rear of the vehicle on the side that you're working on a few times to let everything set. jack car up, remove wheel, torque lower shock mount to spec. reinstall wheels, torque lugs to spec. lower onto it's own weight. torque top shock mounts to spec.

I've done this on every suspension install I've done in a garage that doesn't have a lift. I've never had any problems doing it this way, nor have my buddies.

If my procedure is flawed, please someone "correct" me
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
16,757
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Fort Worth, TX
The metal insert is usually not bonded to the bushing on the lower shock mount. But it's not hard to just put a jack under the knuckle and compress the suspension (tend to do it anyway to tighten to upper mounts).
 

pablo94sc

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
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TN
Well poo - I now hear a squishy sound (like bad hood/hatch struts) from the rear right shock whenever I go over a large bump. I'm going to check the torque on the top nut again, but this is rather annoying. Anyone have any other possible culprits?
 

pablo94sc

New Member
Dec 16, 2009
36
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TN
Torque is good on both, and now both are making the sound over large bumps. No sound over typical rough roads. I'm confused. :(