Hit a bit of a bump on the highway today, and I’ve been hearing a loud banging coming from the rear passenger’s side ever since. Can’t identify whether it’s coming from the gas tank or tire/suspension. (Already checked, and it’s not the gas cap.) It sounds like plastic on metal, although I could be wrong. Any ideas what this could be?
Plastic on metal is interesting. Got a video? If loud I would think we could hear it in a video. Check the panels and fender/wheel liner. Of concern would be the fuel filler neck/tube. Lots of suspension parts could make that type of noise.
I do have a video where you can hear it (although it sounds like plastic on plastic), but I can’t figure out how to upload anything but photos here. I’m thinking the knuckle also, because I just had that replaced a month or so ago, so I wouldn’t be surprised if something popped out.
The knuckle replacement is complex. Now knowing it was just replaced makes it more likely the noise is tied to that. In that repair a bunch of bolts can't be reused as they won't hold torque. Since it takes time to get all the different bolts, many techs might cut corners and reuse.
You can't upload videos to store on the forum servers but you can just link a YouTube video.
The knuckle replacement is complex. Now knowing it was just replaced makes it more likely the noise is tied to that. In that repair a bunch of bolts can't be reused as they won't hold torque. Since it takes time to get all the different bolts, many techs might cut corners and reuse.
You can't upload videos to store on the forum servers but you can just link a YouTube video.
Finally was able to get a look at it. Strut mount was completely broken. It was a bump on the highway that ultimately did it, but probably a weekend of nailing potholes fractured it.
Based off your description, it sounds as if I'm having the same issue. Did you replace the mount and strut or just the mount?
For me, it started with a slight rattle, every now and again, knock or thud type of sound. Now it's a constant thud/knock. I hear it more when going slow speeds like 10MPH. Going in reverse guarantees the sound. Does not matter on the surface types either. Though it's continuous on the non-smooth surfaces. Take the streets of NYC.
Edit:
2018 Malibu Premier.
Started around 20k miles. Car is now at 62k miles.
And yes, I've had the dealer look at this while the car was still under warranty. They just didn't hear it and placed a washer on the struts which did nothing. But let's not get me started on the incompetence of one dealer and the difficulty of another over this issue.
So it sounds like I had the same issue you’re describing—but it was unrelated to this issue. For this issue, only the mount broke and was replaced.
About a year and a half ago, I started hearing a knocking/thud in the back of my car. I took it to the dealer; they heard it and said it was the shocks that were leaking grease and needed to be replaced. My brother replaced them for me, BUT the old shocks were bone dry—the dealer probably lied. I took the car to another mechanic, and he said it was probably the bumper. I knew that wasn’t the issue, so I started doing some slow, shoddy research, and eventually I found this service notice: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10160117-9999.pdf.
Then I found this YouTube video: .
I decided to buy two new rear suspension knuckles, have a mechanic replace them for me. Immediately the knocking/thumping noise was gone. I’m not saying that’s definitively what you’re experiencing, but it’s worth exploring.
Thank you for the video. That was the same TSB I provided the dealer. They installed the washer back when it was under warranty only after my 3rd return. Only they did it to shut me. The problem was still present. Long story short, because of their failure and GM not wanting to help, the car ran OOW and only NOW they will install the knuckle. Too long story to bother.
Anyway, the price is decent enough for me to purchase the knuckles and I'll install (I like working on cars after warranty is up). If you also replaced the bolts, what bolts were they? I'm guessing two trailing arm bolts and mount bracket bolt?
It’s worth a shot. I didn’t want to attempt to replace the knuckles on my own, so I got the knuckles themselves and brought them to a mechanic to replace. So I’m not sure about the bolts.
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