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

Important: It may be necessary to compare this vehicle to a identical vehicle to determine if the customer's complaint a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle.

Attempt to duplicate the noise. Road test the vehicle.

Is there an abnormal noise present?

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Go to Step 2

System OK

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 heard?

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Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

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

Has the repair been performed.

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Go to Step 1

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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?

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Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

Repair or replace any damaged components.

Has the repair been performed?

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Go to Step 1

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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?

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Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

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?

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Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

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

Has the repair been performed.

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Go to Step 1

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

Did you service any components?

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Go to Step 1

Go to Step 10

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

Did you tighten any of the wheel nuts?

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Go to Step 1

Go to Step 11

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 shock absorbers.

Is either shock absorber loose?

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Go to Step 12

Go to Step 14

1. Inspect the shock absorber 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 shock absorber.

Is the shock absorber loose?

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Go to Step 14

Go to Step 1

Replace the loose or worn shock absorber. Refer to Strut Disassemble/Assemble Repair in Rear Suspension.

Has the repair been performed?

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Go to Step 1

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

Is the rear axle tie rod loose?

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Go to Step 15

Go to Step 17

1. Inspect the rear axle tie 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 axle tie rod.

Is the rear axle tie rod loose?

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Go to Step 16

Go to Step 1

Replace the rear axle tie rod as necessary.

Has the repair been performed?

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Go to Step 1

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

Is either rear axle trailing arm loose?

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Go to Step 18

Go to Step 20

1. Inspect the rear axle 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 axle trailing arm.

Is either rear axle trailing arm loose?

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Go to Step 19

Go to Step 1

Replace any worn or loose rear axle trailing arm bushings.

Has the repair been performed?

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Go to Step 1

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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.

Important: Do not allow the stethoscope to contact any moving components.

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

Does either wheel bearing exhibit excessive noise?

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Go to Step 21

Go to Step 7

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

Has the repair been performed?

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Go to Step 1

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