CLUNKING SOUND FROM REAR SUSPENSION/REPAIR INFORMATION

CLUNKING SOUND FROM REAR SUSPENSION

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1988 BUICK REGAL -----------------

Customer comments on 1988 Buick Regals of a clunking sound in the rear suspension area may be caused by a loose rear trailing arm bracket. The noise can be eliminated by rewelding existing bracket in place, and adding reinforcing brackets.

Procedure:

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1. Disconnecct battery.

2. Raise the car on the hoist and locate loose bracket.

3. Remove front attaching bolts on lower trailing arm and swing arm down. It may be necessary to loosen rear attaching bolts.

4. Locate the existing bracket from the rear edge of the adjacent 24 mm long slot to the front edge of hole 61.9 mm apart. Also, match the witness marks of the previous welding, if available (See Figure 1).

5. Disconnect the rear parking brake cable from underbody to provide adequate access to the area.

6. Weld bracket in place as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 on the installation instructions. Use MIG welding process.

7. Locate new reinforcing bracket, and scribe a hole location on the bracket while holding in place. Repeat same step for other side bracket.

8. Drill a 12.5 mm hole in scribed area of the new bracket.

9. Use a short bolt and nut to hold support brackets to existing bracket and weld it to underbody (Figure 3).

10. Remove short bolt and nut and swing trailing arm in place and attach arm to bracket and support with bolt and nuts provided in the kit, P/N 10103072.

11. Tighten bolt from inboard and holding nut in place, grind washer portion of the nut if necessary.

12. Repeat same procedure for other side of the car.

13. Realign rear end of the car.

14. Follow manufacturer's recommendation for painting repaired areas to restore corrosion protection.

15. Connect the rear brake assembly.

16. Connect battery.

Parts are currently available from CANSPO.

Use the most applicable labour operation from the Canadian Labour Time Guide and claim 3.8 hours.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.