07 GP GXP Rear Clunk from stop to go

[hodgietransam]

Every time I hit the gas from a stop, it feels like the rear of the car sits down and makes a clunking type sound. Also, when I am rolling at slow speeds or come to a stop, it feels like rear end is rattling. Not really sure what it is. I replaced the rear stabilizer links and that didn't do much. I feel like it could be the strut mounts, struts, or maybe something to do with the rear diff. Does anyone have something similar going on or could provide and advice?

[daveg]

Check the trailing arms and make sure there not loose or tweaked. Good luck

[DieselDan 400]

Hello
I also get the same noise. First thought it was just stuff in my trunk. I know wishful thinking. It sounds like its right up by the back seat on the drivers side. I also notice while getting gas that the car when almost full will suddenly drop an inch or so. I complained to the dealer under warranty but of course they couldn't find what I was talking about. I'm thinking upper strut mount since the noise is in the trunk but the suspension drop has got me wondering if there is something else. Had problems with the rear end alignment figured they would have seen something then. Your description is exactly what I got.

[hodgietransam]

Diesaldan,

I finally figured out what was going on with my car. Seems kind of obvious, but I couldn't imagine my shocks had gone. I decided to replace both my rear shock assemblies and the car is perfect now. I ended up switching to monroe shocks due to the expense of the bilstein and am very happy with the performance.

[Traeger2591]

Yeah I had a similar problem in my 99 gp gt. A little bit different model but I know several people that had the exact same problem as me. The rear passenger side strut spring had broken. it was rubbing up against the fenderwell and was making noises. You couldn't tell from the front of the wheel but when you took the wheel off it was easy to see what was going on.

I guess pontiac struts are just fd up.

[DieselDan 400]

Really Rear struts did it. When it started making that noise the car only had 26,000 miles. struts bad already thats not what I was hoping to hear. Bilsteins are good struts to. Don't mind me asking what were they going for?

[hodgietransam]

I found the Bilstein struts online at allshocks.com and I think the whole assembly was about $300 to $400 each. Much cheaper here than at the dealer. You could probably just get the shock absorber and not the whole assembly for less. It is a pain to install just the shock absorber though. The whole assembly just bolts right in quickly. I paid $370 for both the rear shock absorber assemblies from partstrain.com. I honestly can't tell the difference between the bilstein and the munroe. I agree that bilstein should last longer than 26k miles, but shocks have a way of going when they want to I guess. My car had about 50k when mine went. I tried replacing the stabilizer links first because I thought that was the problem, but it didn't do anything, so I wouldn't recommend that. Once the shocks were installed, it was clear as day that problem had been fixed. Good luck figuring it out. I hope this helps.

[andreasue]

I found the Bilstein struts online at allshocks.com and I think the whole assembly was about $300 to $400 each. Much cheaper here than at the dealer. You could probably just get the shock absorber and not the whole assembly for less. It is a pain to install just the shock absorber though. The whole assembly just bolts right in quickly. I paid $370 for both the rear shock absorber assemblies from partstrain.com. I honestly can't tell the difference between the bilstein and the munroe. I agree that bilstein should last longer than 26k miles, but shocks have a way of going when they want to I guess. My car had about 50k when mine went. I tried replacing the stabilizer links first because I thought that was the problem, but it didn't do anything, so I wouldn't recommend that. Once the shocks were installed, it was clear as day that problem had been fixed. Good luck figuring it out. I hope this helps.

I think there is not much difference between the two. I guess it depends on the road conditions that affects it's life span, not on the shock absorber brand. Whether it is bilstein or munroe it doesn't matter, they are both good. There will only be a difference if you buy it from surplus shops rather than buying from trusted autoparts store. Better be safe than sorry i would rather buy brand new than second hand parts because your safety is at risk.

[DieselDan 400]

I installed the rear struts and they did it. The struts i took out seem to work fine but when i drive it now the clunking noise is gone. The strut mounts were fine. I reinstalled the bilsteins. hope these last longer then the originals. Now I have a front end creak to figure out when i trun the wheel sitting still.