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  #1  
Old 05-29-2006, 10:21 AM
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Rattle in rear struts? 300TD

The car is a 84 300TDT
I have been listening to a rattle in the rear end for a while. It sounds like it is in the struts, but I cannot figure out where. I shimmed the top of the strut with some extra rubber, last time I had it apart, so I dont think that can be the problem any more, Is there a bushing on the bottom of the strut that can be replaced?
Jason

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  #2  
Old 05-30-2006, 01:41 PM
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Your struts are bolted into the trailing arm. Make sure they are torqued correctly. Also make sure the upper bolts are torqued. Otherwise does the noise occure on a particular road, movement etc. Can you consistantly reproduce the noise? The strut does have internal mechanics and they can go bad. So if the mounting bolts and nuts are all tight you could have an internal failure.
Before going down the strut failure road. Check all rear suspension bushings, connectors etc.
Have someone drive the car and lay in the back to see if you can identify which strut it is or what area it is comming from.

Dave
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  #3  
Old 05-30-2006, 07:44 PM
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and i would check the anti sway bar links.

tom w
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  #4  
Old 05-31-2006, 09:30 AM
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The Struts will make the rattle when on a dirt road, that is not quite a washboard type surface, Just 'dirt road' irregular. If the dirt road has a lot of clay in it and is a hard surface it does not rattle. So I guess I am trying to say that it rattles on vibrations, but not on speed bumps/dips/potholes, (the bigger or longer duration suspension changes).

It sounds like it is the left one which is worse ( a metal on metal sound). Also it does not seem to rattle as much in the winter... but it will still do it. another way to descibe it is to say that it does sound as if the top bolt is loose, allowing the rattle when the suspension responds to the surface irregularites. Unfortunatly that does not seem to be the case. I even shimmed the rubber bushings thinking that they had compressed over time and allowed the noise. (no change). Will have another look at the suspension this weekend..

Will also play with the sway bar links. .. I do need new sway bar bushings I believe, will check that for metal on metal as well. ( it does not seem to do it in a corner)
Jason
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  #5  
Old 06-02-2006, 05:01 PM
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And the rear sway bar link is the culprit. Thanks Tom, good suggestion. I never would have thought of looking at that as a source of noise.
Jason
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  #6  
Old 06-30-2006, 09:31 AM
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sway bar link

I had the same rear end noise...disconnected the sway bar links to see if that was it and sure nuff it was. Question, how the the links work? I don't see how they provide ANY support since they're made of plastic with ball joints. The bar iteslf bends a lot...I just don't see any need for them. I temporarily have them off becasue the noise was driving me crazy. I intend to put new ones back on as soon as they come in. Please inform me if I'm making a mistake having them off. Thank you in advance for your help.
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  #7  
Old 06-30-2006, 11:44 PM
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I like how the car handles as a result of having a good link on the drivers side. Before the rear of the car would lean a bit and then the link would catch and hold, but that was kinda unpredictable... short answer, is the car is more stable... with them installed
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  #8  
Old 07-01-2006, 06:34 PM
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sway bar link

Ok, thanks fo the response. I have had them off for 2 days now and I do notice a slight difference in the handling, but not enough to make me nervous having them off. I did order 2 new ones (only $11 each). I noticed the new ones have a clear plastic "cover" over where the ball joints are...I guess to keep them solid. That is exactly what caused all the noise in my old ones...they had about 1/16" play in 'em.

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