Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Topic: Shocks and rattles in the rear end. (Read 1801 times) previous topic - next topic

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

April 07, 2016, 12:07:23 PM

Hello guys and gals, anybody know what the torque lbs is for tightening my shocks on the rear of my 1986 Mercury Cougar. I have a rattle and want to be sure the shocks are tightened up to the correct fit. Anyone know what the bump, rattle noise might be happens when I drive on a bumpy road, so aggravating. I can not see anything broken, so far can't find any wear spots, new shocks on 3 months ago OE monroe sensa tracts. Help please.

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Reply #1 – April 07, 2016, 12:21:00 PM

A torque spec for the shocks is not really that important, as long as they are good and tight. It could be that the spring pads could be worn through and you are getting a little metal to metal noise when they make contact with the seat. It could also be some slack in the control arm bushings if there is substantial wear in them.

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Reply #2 – April 07, 2016, 08:42:19 PM

Just a random thought or two:

Check heat shield s for exhaust/ catalytic converters, exhaust and tail pipe hangers, worn rear sway bar bushings or end links ( if so equipped). A rubber mallet works good sometimes just to check various areas.

A funny side note: my moms Lincoln Continent had a few rattles in the rear.. One was the loose jack and handle not installed correctly. Lots of stuff rolling around back there. Also found rocks/gravel in a u shaped piece under the trunk that had found their way in over the years. Drove me nuts looking for them all. It's about 90 percent better to me. Still rattles a little.

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Reply #3 – April 08, 2016, 08:08:48 AM

I had a rattle in my old 87 XR-7 that turned out to be a rotted horizontal shock (I think only XR-7 models have them). The end of the shock had rotted away and the shaft was smacking what was left of the shock tube, lol.

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Reply #4 – April 12, 2016, 10:33:37 AM

Thanks guys, so far I've not been able to find the problem, just took it in to a body shop and they swear it's the shocks, I don't trust them, in my life I've never bought new shocks and them be duds, it's possible but not likely especially both of them. I think they are trying to rip me off, going somewhere else that really wants to help fix the car nor replace parts at my expense. How do I check the bushings on the control arms, and also the insulators at the end of the coil springs?

Shocks and rattles in the rear end.

Reply #5 – April 13, 2016, 12:15:28 AM

Best way would be to remove them and inspect, however, if there is a very obvious rattle, it should be pretty easy to find.

I find most of the time a pry bar underneath the car will find loose and worn parts before them become a big issue. Pay close attention to the sway bar end links. If you can replicate the nose by bouncing the car up and down, you should be able to isolate it to the front or rear of the car that way. The spring isolators are just a rubber piece on either end of the coil spring and should be easy to see if you have the car jacked up and can look around underneath.

Basically every metal to metal contact point of the car should have a rubber bushing in it somewhere. If they look badly cracked or torn, they likely will need replaced before too long.