So I have a clunking noise that is driving me absolutely bonkers! It clunks at the smallest bump and rough road. It sounds like the hatch isn't closed completely but its not the hatch (I drove slowly with the hatch open, noise still there). It seems to be originating from the passenger side and is loud enough it should be evident. I have all of the carpet and panels in the cargo area removed along with the spare tire. I still can't find the source. It is definitely louder with the panel removed. I jacked up the right rear and checked underneath and behind the fender protector in the rear wheel well. I know it a long shot that someone will be able to diagnosis this but I am at a loss. I am still under warranty but I keep reading that the rattles aren't covered after 12k miles. Any thoughts?
Clunk in rear passenger/cargo area
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Actually that is a great idea to get it looked at under warranty. Just such a pain to go to the dealer. I always have that "I going to get screwed" feeling. Good thing I am really handy with a wrench for most things.
ScottTX
I had a similar issue that was present when I picked up my 2018 RRS in February. There was clunk or thumping sound that I could hear and "feel" when going over speed bumps or rough pavement. I thought that the spare tire in the cargo area was loose and was rising and slamming down (that was not the issue). It took 3 trips to the dealer to figure it out the problem. First two repair attempts focused on checking and adjusting the software related to the suspension system. On the third return to the dealer they found that one of the rear shock absorbers was defective and was leaking. Replaced the shock about 4 weeks ago and it's a totally different drive. Its too bad that the first six months with my new vehicle was a subpar experience.
Happy now for the first time since I have had the car. I won't go into details about the other problems which included the typical dual monitor issues and a series of oil leaks that took two service visits to repair (over 2 weeks in the shop but included the shock replacement work).
I had a similar issue that was present when I picked up my 2018 RRS in February. There was clunk or thumping sound that I could hear and "feel" when going over speed bumps or rough pavement. I thought that the spare tire in the cargo area was loose and was rising and slamming down (that was not the issue). It took 3 trips to the dealer to figure it out the problem. First two repair attempts focused on checking and adjusting the software related to the suspension system. On the third return to the dealer they found that one of the rear shock absorbers was defective and was leaking. Replaced the shock about 4 weeks ago and it's a totally different drive. Its too bad that the first six months with my new vehicle was a subpar experience.
Happy now for the first time since I have had the car. I won't go into details about the other problems which included the typical dual monitor issues and a series of oil leaks that took two service visits to repair (over 2 weeks in the shop but included the shock replacement work).
Thanks Sport17! The sound is exactly like a loose strut in the strut tower but we don't have struts. I checked the nuts on the air bag tower and they are tight. I haven't checked the shock but that would make sense. If that is the case, then its definitely a warranty issue. I have an appointment for a couple of weeks from now (first date with a loaner). I will tell them about your experience.
In the meantime, since I literally have every panel in the cargo area removed. I am going to have someone drive me around while I'm in the back to try to pinpoint the exact location.
On the bright side, while removing all the panels I found that the previous owner left me a brand new oil filer, air filter, serpentine belt, bottle of LR radiator fluid, and a full spare with matching black 20" wheel and new BF Goodrich T/A tire!
In the meantime, since I literally have every panel in the cargo area removed. I am going to have someone drive me around while I'm in the back to try to pinpoint the exact location.
On the bright side, while removing all the panels I found that the previous owner left me a brand new oil filer, air filter, serpentine belt, bottle of LR radiator fluid, and a full spare with matching black 20" wheel and new BF Goodrich T/A tire!
Just the other day, I developed a bit of a creaking/popping sound (not quite a thunk, yet?) that's coming from my the cargo cover crossmember on the passenger side; I'm at just over 5k mi. Since I'm betting it's structural to some non-critical degree, I'd say it could very well be louder (via propagation) if some of your rear cargo area paneling has been removed. I'm betting since you've already got the rear cleared out that the cargo cover's also been removed, but on the chance it's not, maybe give it a whirl without and see if the sound is still there.
Thanks...that was the first thing I checked. I was almost sure that is what it was too. Unfortunately not.
So I partially solved it. The noise is definitely coming from the rear passenger airstrut. Since I am not familiar with air suspensions I am not exactly sure how to explain it. Basically, the top of what I assume is the shock (stud with the connector) is loose in the top tower mount (silver cup). Every little bump causes the center stud to knock against the tower wall. I don't see an apparent way to "tighten" it up. I presume this means that a new airstrut is probably the only fix. Thoughts?
Attachments
After looking around on the web, it looks like the whole thing in the picture is the shock absorber assembly. In which case it is definitely not supposed to be moving around in it own shell. Looks like a warranty claim for sure. Seems like something that could affect others.
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