DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the rear suspension.

Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis

Verify that the rear suspension is noisy.

Is the rear suspension noisy?

Go to Step 3

System OK

1. Shift the transmission into Park.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the complaint noise present?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

1. Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise.
2. Repair or replace the suspect components as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage.

Are any components damaged?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

Repair or replace any damaged components.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication. Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary.
2. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels.

Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 10

1. Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation in Tires and Wheels.
2. Road test the vehicle.

Is the noise now emitted from the front of the vehicle?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

Replace the tires that are causing the noise.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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Ensure that the park brake cable is secured properly.

Did you service any components?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 11

Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 12

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Use your hand to push and pull the shock absorbers.

Is either shock absorber loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 15

1. Inspect the shock absorber fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the shock absorber.

Is the shock absorber loose?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 20

Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Rear Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle tie rod.

Is the rear axle tie rod loose?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

1. Inspect the rear axle tie rod fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear axle tie rod.

Is the rear axle tie rod loose?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 20

Replace the rear axle tie rod as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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1. Start the engine with the drive wheels off of the ground.
2. Shift the transmission into Drive.

Caution: Do not spin the drive wheels faster than 55 km/h (35 mph) as indicated by the speedometer. This limit is necessary because the speedometer indicates only one half of the actual wheel speed when one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped. Personal injury and damage may result from high speed spinning.

Important: This step will require the assistance of another person to maintain the drive train speed. Do not use the cruise control to maintain the drivetrain speed.

3. Increase the drive wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.

Important:: Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.

4. Use J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise.

Does either wheel bearing exhibit noise?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 8

Replace the wheel bearings. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement in Rear Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

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Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair.

Does the system operate normally?

System OK

Go to Step 3