Question for mechanics

[Theturtle]

My wife has a Toyota Matrix and a month or so ago the rear end started making a clanking sound when you go over a bump or take a sharp turn seems like anytime the car is not level any ideas ? I’m not very good with cars besides regular maintenance and don’t want to blow tons of money fixing it and it being the wrong thing

 

[Theturtle]

It’s an 06 btw

 

[transfixer]

You'll have to get it off the ground , either on a two post lift or put the body on jackstands, so the suspension isn't loaded, then look for something loose or visibly worn out on the rear suspension, shocks, control arms, etc,etc, could be a bushing worn out on one of the control arms that keep the rear axle stationary

 

[livinoutdoors]

Yup and i will add look for shiny metal on metal. Sometimes that can tell you when something is rubbing or bumping that shouldnt be. Other than that @transfixer covered it.

 

[basstrkr]

Front CV joint?

 

[Theturtle]

Front CV joint?

It’s in the rear just when we hit a bump or rough spot in the road

 

[dwhee87]

Sounds like a worn bushing somewhere, or bad shocks. How old are the shocks?

 

[GoldDot40]

My wife has a Toyota Matrix and a month or so ago the rear end started making a clanking sound when you go over a bump or take a sharp turn seems like anytime the car is not level any ideas ? I’m not very good with cars besides regular maintenance and don’t want to blow tons of money fixing it and it being the wrong thing

Did you buy it new? If not, do you know the history of the car....such as did it spend any of it's life in the salt belt?

Here's an exploded view diagram for the rear suspension for that vehicle. Possibly do an internet search to see what the most common replacement parts are for the rear.

This is the link to the page to see what parts the numbers correlate to: https://parts.totoyota.com/v-2006-toyota-matrix--base--1-8l-l4-gas/rear-suspension--rear-suspension

 

[Theturtle]

Sounds like a worn bushing somewhere, or bad shocks. How old are the shocks?

No clue we have had it maybe six months bought it used from a car lot taking it to get put on the lift Thursday and get it figured out hopefully won’t cost an arm and a leg

 

[zedex]

Check the rear carriage bushings, sway bar links, and rear struts and strut mounts. It may be also be control arm bushings.

From diagram about, the carriage bushings would be in the holes of each corner.
Sway bar links are item number 6
Control arm bushings are items 13 and 8
The struts arent shown but they are very easy to remove. Three bolts on top and 2 on bottom. Remove from vehicle and check for strut travel rod freeplay and the mount on top held in with a single nut, should have a rubber bumper system so when the mount bolts come through the body it can be bolted to the car, binding the rubber to the car body. THis stop noise and impact transfer. Do not attempt to remove the mount from the strut without a spring compressor. That huge spring is a push spring and the mount under pressure from the spring.

If everything checks, then look carefully for a polished area where metal meets metal. Look during the day... didn't see it??? Check at night with a flashlight.. Polished areas reflect the light. Also, be sure to check the spring for a broken coil and under the bottom of the spring should, in most cases have a rubber spring seat..... check it.

Be sure to compare each side against the other. What may look normal on one side compared to the other, isn't normal

 

[bany]

Check the rear carriage bushings, sway bar links, and rear struts and strut mounts. It may be also be control arm bushings.

From diagram about, the carriage bushings would be in the holes of each corner.
Sway bar links are item number 6
Control arm bushings are items 13 and 8
The struts are shown but they are very easy to remove. Three bolts on top and 2 on bottom. Remove from vehicle and check for strut travel rod freeplay and the mount on top held in with a single nut, should have a rubber bumper system so when the mount bolts come through the body it can be bolted to the car, binding the rubber to the car body. THis stop noise and impact transfer. Do not attempt to remove the mount from the strut without a spring compressor. That huge spring is a push spring and the mount under pressure from the spring.

If everything checks, then look carefully for a polished area where metal meets metal. Look during the day... didn't see it??? Check at night with a flashlight.. Polished areas reflect the light. Also, be sure to check the spring for a broken coil and under the bottom of the spring should, in most cases have a rubber spring seat..... check it.

Be sure to compare each side against the other. What may look normal on one side compared to the other, isn't normal

This right here says it all. Had your ”sound” on the mountaineer and I replaced all 4 sway bar end links last night. Bushing were gone or cracked on three corners.

 

[Barfolomew]

I'd guess bushings in the control arms or something with the shock mounts.