GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2003 🢒 Century 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Suspension General Diagnosis 🢒 Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension

Step

Action

Yes

No

DEFINITION: Any noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle that is induced by VEHICLE SPEED or DRIVING TERRAIN as related to the rear suspension.

1

Did you review the General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Suspension General Diagnosis

2

Verify that the rear suspension is noisy.

Is the rear suspension noisy?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3
  1. Shift the transmission into Park.
  2. Turn the ignition off.
  3. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to duplicate the noise.

Is the complaint noise present?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4
  1. Bounce the rear of the vehicle. Use a J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise.
  2. Repair or replace the suspect component(s) as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

5
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Inspect all of the rear suspension components for any damage.

Are any components damaged?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

Repair or replace any damaged components.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

7
  1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications in Maintenance and Lubrication. Correct the tire inflation pressure as necessary.
  2. Inspect the tires for unusual wear. Refer to Tire Diagnosis - Irregular or Premature Wear in Tires and Wheels.

Does either tire exhibit unusual tread wear?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 10

8
  1. Rotate the tires. Refer to Tire Rotation in Tires and Wheels.
  2. Road test the vehicle.

Is the noise now emitted from the front of the vehicle?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Replace the tire(s) that are causing the noise.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

10

Ensure that the park brake cable and the spare tire are secured properly.

Did you service any components?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 11

11

Ensure that all of the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Tires and Wheels.

Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 12

12
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Use your hand to push and pull the struts.

Is either strut loose?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 15

13
  1. Inspect the strut fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
  2. Use your hands in order to push and pull the strut.

    3. Is the strut loose?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 23

14

Replace the loose or worn strut. Refer to the following:

    •  Strut, Strut Component, and Spring Replacement in Front Suspension
    •  Strut Assembly Replacement in Rear Suspension

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

15

Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear spindle rod.

Is the rear spindle rod loose?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

16
  1. Inspect the rear spindle rod fasteners. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
  2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear spindle rod.

Is the rear spindle rod loose?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 23

17

Replace the rear spindle rod as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

18

Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear trailing arm.

Is either rear trailing arm loose?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 21

19
  1. Inspect the rear trailing arm fasteners for the correct fastener tightening specification. Tighten as necessary. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications in Rear Suspension.
  2. Use your hands in order to push and pull on the rear trailing arm.

Is either rear trailing arm loose?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 23

20

Replace any worn or loose rear trailing arm bushings.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

21
  1. Use an on-vehicle wheel balancer in order to spin the rear wheels.
  2. Increase the wheel speed until the noise is at the most audible level.

    3. Important: Do not allow the J 39570 to contact any moving components.

  3. Use a J 39570 in order to locate the source of the noise.

Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 8

22

Replace the wheel bearing(s). Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement in Rear Suspension.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

23

Operate the vehicle in order to verify the repair.

Does the system operate normally?

System OK

Go to Step 3