Just recently I have noticed a single clack or tick coming from the rear of the car. It makes the noise almost every time I drive over a sharp bump at 35 mph and above. It doesn’t make the sound over every bump, just the sharp ones (expansion joints, cracks, etc.) It seems like it comes from the right and left, sometimes not at the same time. I have read a lot of posts about axle nut torque, but people say they hear it when they accelerate or decelerate. I only hear it over bumps.

I took the car to the dealer twice during the warranty period. The first time the technician blamed it on rocks that got stuck in the bumper. I drove it around after that and the noise persisted. The next day I took it back and the technician said that it was wrecked in the back, total BS. I know that the car has never been wrecked.

Now the car is out of warranty and I am still unsure what it is. I am fairly mechanically inclined and can usually pinpoint problems right away. I have changed the differential oil, inspected all joints for damage, inspected brakes, and tire pressure. I noticed that it makes a similar sound if the axles are jiggled, but I think that is normal due to tolerances and cv joint design. Does anyone have a similar problem?

 

Could be anything.

I would start by making sure everything is snugged down (spare tire) and double checking to make sure all bolts are tight (shock top hat bolts, diff bolts, chassis bolts etc).


Start by looking for something that is obviously loose.

 

ok. I will try that. Almost all of the nuts and bolts come with inspection paint marks. I looked at all the ones that might be causing it and didn't find any marks that did not line up. I will check the torque of all the bolts when I get home.

 

I just fixed it. It turned out to be the axle nuts. Got new nuts and put them on with 181 ft-lbs. Drove it around and it was fixed.

 

I'm pretty sure it Should be 220 ft lbs, bud.

 

 

Is the Service Manual wrong? Or was there an ammendment to the Service Maunual? Or maybe a TSB?

 

Yes, there was a TSB.

Grease the back of the new nut, then 220 ft. Lbs. Then take a punch to the nut and flatten it at the index point on the axle.

 

How much do axle nuts go for?

 

Not much. Like 15ish if I remember correctly.