I was reading through the faqs and found the article about teh bad strut mounts on 96-97 cavaliers and sunfires. i have this sound and was wondering if they will still replace the mount under the service bulletin???
Service Bulletin is NOT a recall. It's just a For Your Information. You still have to pay for it.
tsb=wont kill you so they wont pay for it
I have a 98 Sunfire and Im experiencing this issue > I BELIEVE <.....Im hoping I can elaborate and clarify. This sound is the very reason I just joined this forum.
Driving down the road, coming from the right rear, I hear a clunking sound, like maybe something coming from the wheel, or brakes or suspension back there. It's not rythmic either, very random. Sometimes its hard to hear over my trunk bouncing around since the gasket is shot (from age, not stereo), but I can hear it none the less. Also, when it's parked, I can pop the trunk, and push down on the rear end quickly (like a monkey humping the bumper) and recreate the clunk clunk clunk sound. I've eliminated that its the gas tube assembly.
If I have the "Loose Lumber" issue going on, what exactly will need replacing? AND more importantly, how much trouble is it? I've thrown enough fits with my rusty Jeep, and am really not looking forward to throwing a fit with my daily driver. Although, it's still in great condition considering the usage its had.
Thanx in advance
98 Sunfire 2.2L
Goat Skull in the rear. It's science not satan!
About 97% stock
usually the loose lumber sound happens when the rubber mount in the rear breaks..what you'll find is the strut rod has the nut still attached but the rubber surrounding it has seperated from the rest of the mount. so you need new rear mounts. gabriels are good replacements.
usually the sound will happen on a bump that goes above normal road level then below normal road level right after.. causes the rear wheel to drop suddenly before the strut can compensate, since the strut rod is free floating when it hits the body you hear the sound.
thats my best guess. good luck.
14.82 @ 97 mph
I replaced the rear mounts and struts on my g/f's 97 Sunfire SE coupe. Took care of the noise. Mounts and struts were from NAPA.
I am no mechanic by far. I used info from
http://www.bradiscool.com and some info from a few members on here. I soaked all nuts and bolts with Liquid Wrench for days, with numerous applications after that. It took me a while to do them, but I had no idea what I was doing, and the two(?) lower bolts gave me problems. Used a Autozone "Loan-A-Tool" torque wrench as a breaker bar on them
err... soaked them in PB Blaster
Brad IS cool, and so are you. Many thanx. Thats exactly what I needed. Doesnt look so bad. Maybe this is a good time to get some lowering springs. Nothing major, like an inch or so. This isnt really my project car, but while Im at it, I might as well ya know..........??????
98 Sunfire 2.2L
Goat Skull in the rear. It's science not satan!
About 97% stock
Yes, it is a good time to put on lowering springs, if you are thinking about it. No reason to pay for two alignments.
I did not do the fronts, since the front struts were covered under an aftermarket extended warranty.
Has anyone heard about this problem happening on an 04 Sunfire? I have that same dull thump sound when I hit any sort of bump.
~~THE WHEEL'S SPINNING BUT THE HAMSTER AIN'T MOVING~~
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