popping from right rear

[Joeseph]

I get a popping sound from the right rear of my car, I have replaced the rest struts and end links for the sway bay, was wondering what all else could cause that sound? Its not necessarily related to large bumps and is getting pretty consistent.

[02NavyBlue]

Have you checked out the trailing arms and bushings? Also check the exhaust hangers to make sure the muffler isn't banging on something. Not much else that can make noise in the rear of the car.

[Joeseph]

Yeah I replaced the trailing arms with doorman units a year ago and they looked good. One of my lateral arms looks slightly bent. I'll replaced all 4 and see of that fixes it.

[02NavyBlue]

I'm not sure if those can cause a popping sound but if it's bent it should be replaced and re-aligned. I know it may sound a bit obvious but check in the trunk for things that could be making the noise, epecially that may have fallen into the spare compartment and bounces around. Also what year GP do you drive? If the strut towers are rusted out they could make noise.

[Alix0r]

Ya it could be the strut top mount making the noise... might be time to replace them and the struts

[02NavyBlue]

Well on the 97-00's (I believe those are the years) The strut tower which is part of the car, rusts and the strut may go through, and into the trunk. Newer models had further rust prevention methods and isn't as common.

[Joeseph]

Its an 01 and I am in northern California so there's no rust on the car except for the exhaust. I just replaced all 4 struts so it isn't the strut.

[Joeseph]

The more I listen to it the more it sounds like a bushing. I thought it was the strut mount and the struts where original but even after changing those out its still there. I did notice most of the aftermarket lateral arm upgrades have zerks, so considering the one that's bent is attached to the wheel that's making the noise I am optimistic that it is the cause. I didn't check them when the car was in the air for free play but OEM replacements are cheap enough.

[Joeseph]

Well replaced all 4of them and had it re aligned, it fixed it. The mechanic said the bushing on the bent one was waisted where they bolt up to the under side of the car. Explains why it sounded like it was coming from the trunk.