Clunk in the back, underneath, when I hit bumps

[Rancho5]

02 Sport. Had to bend the hanger on my new Gibson catback so it wouldn’t keep hitting the hitch. It was plenty clear when I installed it a month ago. Now I’m vacationing in Mexico and have noticed that when I hit bumps, and there are LOTS of bumps here, the rear sounds like it’s bottoming out. Pushing up and down on the rear bumper doesn’t indicate bad shocks...no bouncing etc and the rear seems to still be level with the front. Any ideas?

Muchas gracias!

 

[Renegade_Medic]

What is the status of your rear suspension? New, original, lifted?

 

[toyotaguyMT]

you wouldn't hear shock bushings unless you are the hulk pushing on the bumper, sounds like may be bushings to me.

 

[turbo8]

Sway bar bushings?

 

[SeaBass8]

Had similar issue with my 2002 I just got.

2 Things were happening on mine. One of the top bolts of the rear shock had rotted off but but the top was still in the hole so you couldn't really tell there was an issue until I jacked it up.

Also the bracket for the end link on the driver side of the rear axle had broken off. The one that keeps the axle from twisting. Had to pull the axle to have it repaired. And new shocks as well.

 

[Rancho5]

New to me T4R and stock suspension. Probably original

 

[nissanh]

Check rear U-joint as well

 

[T4topher]

Check rear U-joint as well

This is what I would check, specially the double cardon.. grease them all if you haven’t

 

[Hepar]

One of the top bolts of the rear shock had rotted off but but the top was still in the hole so you couldn't really tell there was an issue until I jacked it up.

This pretty much happened to me, but it was the top nut that had just loosened, but didn't fully come off. Would have a loud clunk over bumps. Took me a while to figure out where the noise was coming from.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

New to me T4R and stock suspension. Probably original

If it's a clunk/bang as the suspension moves and its jarring you inside, I would be more certain its worn out springs and shocks that are allowing the axle to slam into bump stops. There is a cone inside the coil spring in the back, there should be room between the cone and the axle side of inside of the coil spring, if the cone is touching the axle, or within about an inch-inch and a half, your springs are worn out. Every 3rd gen I've ever driven/looked at has blown out suspension.

Barring that, look at all the rear arm bushings, and arms themselves. Also, the track bar (Panhard bar) behind the axle, in front of the spare tire, it has bushings. Sway bar end links, and the sway bar mounts on the axle, can all rot out. The shock bushings, both upper and lower can and will rot. Easiest way to check this stuff is just grab the bar/shock and given it a good shake/rotate/move it around. Everything should be very stiff. You can also have someone jump up and down on the bumper to see if you can find it underneath.

Drive shaft is also possible, but if you are feeling it on bumps, I'd be surprised if that was it, alone.

Good luck!

 

[twitchee2]

do you have a hitch in the receiver?

 

[Rancho5]

do you have a hitch in the receiver?

Nope. I had a tray in there when the bumping started so I chalked it up to that but it still does it when the tray is out.