greenRX300

So I have a consistent rattle in the rear passenger side and I noticed that there is some clunking noise when I kick the side of the tire under a load (not jacked up)

Am I looking at a bad CV Joint and how hard are they to replace?

Regards, Chet

carguy07

A CV joint won't make any sound at all if you kick the tire under a load. Maybe sway bar end links? Nothing really should make sounds from a kicked tire.

salimshah

Diagnosis should not be done based on a suspicion or a hunch.

First determine what is making the sound or what has a play.

Salim

greenRX300

Thanks for the advise. I should not have guess a bad CV joint before checking all of the suspension components like the sway bar end links. I already tightened the strut bolts that mount to the hub/spindle (they were loose, but were not the source of the clunking noise).

Chet

carguy07

If that's the case, then you probably need to a least have the alignment checked. If you have it checked they will likely diagnose your other issue too.

lexina

Could be brake shoe parts. I have seen where emergency brake engaged could create clunking noise when you kick on the tire or closing doors.

greenRX300

Ok, so here's where I'm at.... The sway bar end link bolts look like they could be loose, but they were impossible to to tighten even afer spraying with YIELD pennetrant. Are these bolts able to be tightened when the car is jacked up?

I may take Lexina's advice and pull the roter to see if the E-brake shoe is clunking or any other brake parts are loose.

To be continued. Can one of the Mods change my thread to "rear clunking noise"?

carguy07

I doubt they are loose, more likely the joint is worn out and they need replaced. In rust belt states this is a job best done with a torch. They will never break free, just cut them off.

salimshah

Only senior mods can do that.

Salim

greenRX300

Update: I now think the source of the clunk noise is the sway bar bushing which has noticeable sided to side play in it.

As for the sway bar links, the ones I ordered from ebay vendor are much shorter than the existing ones. Could these be the wrong parts? (The ebay add said they fit multiple models including the RX300) or can the sway bar be rotated to make up for the shorter links?

hypervish

Get the correct sway bar links.

I suggest Deeza links, they seem to be well built. I prefer them over the Moogs.

greenRX300

I'm starting to think its the strut, but it was replaced just under a year ago. What can make a strut clunk and rattle?

salimshah

You should get the vehicle on lift and have the suspension examined. If some one did the work a year ago they should do a complimentary check up (even if the warranty period is over). There are suspension shops who do gratis check (in hope of generating work ).

You can do it in your garage too, but you need long pry bars and a bit of know how.

Salim

greenRX300

Praise the Lord I found and fixed the source of that awful clunking noise. The guy who put the rear struts in last summer was me and I neglected to replace the strut mounts. Put a set of ebay cheapie strut mounts and presto the noise is gone!!! The strut mounts were either worn or loose but the new ones don't make a sound!

salimshah

Lets hope the new mounts last for a long time. Keep track of the manufacturer and give us an update once in a while.

Salim