rear end rattle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shrike · 03-17-2010, 01:02 PM

is driving me nuts! (no pun intended)

I have been hearing this noise since I bought the truck, and I think that it is getting a little worse. Its hard to tell since I drive it every day and if it is getting worse it has been pretty gradual.

It only rattles when I hit a bump or a dip in the road. I dont think its a drivetrain issue because it doesnt matter if I am in gear or not, accelerating/decelerating etc.
I have finally narrowed it down to something on the rear of the truck (by driving over a speed bump).
My initial thought was the tailgate, but im not sure because if I go back and shake the hell out of the tailgate it doesnt make a sound.

The sound itself is kind of a cross between a clunk and a rattle. when I first got the truck I thought the bed was loose, but that is not the case. I have been under the truck many times and have even had the guys at the brake shop look for it but nothing is obviously loose. New shocks on the rear didnt make a difference either.

Any ideas? Anyone had an issue like this?

cdowns · 03-17-2010, 01:06 PM

panhard bar bushings trailing arm bushings??? exhaust ??

Leviticus · 03-17-2010, 01:15 PM

My tailgate rattles a little, but the easiest way to find what it, is grab a beer, lay under the rear of your truck and take a minute to look at everything, shake stuff, bump stuff, rubber mallets help with this (Just be nice).

I was pulling my driveline yesterday and was just taking a minute to look everything over under the rear and found that when they did my exhaust they left the stock hanger bracket in the rubber mount and it was twisted in a way the when you bumped it it would rattle (Old Rubber).

Good luck.

shrike · 03-17-2010, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the replies!
I dont think its the exhaust. I had new mufflers put on after I bought the truck and while I wont say that the exhaust system is rattle free, I know it isnt loose enough to make a noise this loud

Will I be able to move the trailing arms enough to tell if the bushings are bad? Or is it something I'll be able to see? I wonder if I should jack up the frame so the rear end is hanging free and see if I can locate it that way

Jacfourteen · 03-17-2010, 06:39 PM

check the shock bushings and the swaybar bushings and mounts (if you have a swaybar). My dad used to have a ranger that would rattle like crazy on rough roads, turned out to be a missing sway bar bushing....never did fix it though.

bigguy69 · 03-17-2010, 08:36 PM

i have seen them when the panhard bar bushing is wore out they make that noise.

hayhauler71 · 03-17-2010, 08:45 PM

My moneys on the panhard bar being noisy with the rest of the guys, this problem is as common as rusted rockers and cab corners.

Bullseye54 · 03-17-2010, 10:21 PM

Do you have a receiver hitch on the truck? Several times I've had a cluncking/rattle & its been the hitch or pin.........Bob

03-17-2010, 01:02 PM	#1
shrike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 72	rear end rattle is driving me nuts! (no pun intended) I have been hearing this noise since I bought the truck, and I think that it is getting a little worse. Its hard to tell since I drive it every day and if it is getting worse it has been pretty gradual. It only rattles when I hit a bump or a dip in the road. I dont think its a drivetrain issue because it doesnt matter if I am in gear or not, accelerating/decelerating etc. I have finally narrowed it down to something on the rear of the truck (by driving over a speed bump). My initial thought was the tailgate, but im not sure because if I go back and shake the hell out of the tailgate it doesnt make a sound. The sound itself is kind of a cross between a clunk and a rattle. when I first got the truck I thought the bed was loose, but that is not the case. I have been under the truck many times and have even had the guys at the brake shop look for it but nothing is obviously loose. New shocks on the rear didnt make a difference either. Any ideas? Anyone had an issue like this? __________________ 1970 C10 Fleetside longbed 350/TH350

03-17-2010, 01:06 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: rear end rattle panhard bar bushings trailing arm bushings??? exhaust ?? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

03-17-2010, 01:15 PM	#3
Leviticus Shake and Bake! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 609	Re: rear end rattle My tailgate rattles a little, but the easiest way to find what it, is grab a beer, lay under the rear of your truck and take a minute to look at everything, shake stuff, bump stuff, rubber mallets help with this (Just be nice). I was pulling my driveline yesterday and was just taking a minute to look everything over under the rear and found that when they did my exhaust they left the stock hanger bracket in the rubber mount and it was twisted in a way the when you bumped it it would rattle (Old Rubber). Good luck. __________________ "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson "You are remembered for the rules you break." General Douglas MacArthur "Support Our Troops And The NRA"

03-17-2010, 01:24 PM	#4
shrike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 72	Re: rear end rattle Thanks for the replies! I dont think its the exhaust. I had new mufflers put on after I bought the truck and while I wont say that the exhaust system is rattle free, I know it isnt loose enough to make a noise this loud Will I be able to move the trailing arms enough to tell if the bushings are bad? Or is it something I'll be able to see? I wonder if I should jack up the frame so the rear end is hanging free and see if I can locate it that way __________________ 1970 C10 Fleetside longbed 350/TH350

03-17-2010, 06:39 PM	#5
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: rear end rattle check the shock bushings and the swaybar bushings and mounts (if you have a swaybar). My dad used to have a ranger that would rattle like crazy on rough roads, turned out to be a missing sway bar bushing....never did fix it though. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

03-17-2010, 08:36 PM	#6
bigguy69 dazed and confused Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: marion nc Posts: 1,649	Re: rear end rattle i have seen them when the panhard bar bushing is wore out they make that noise. __________________ members met: redbaron69, billsbowtie,nc67

03-17-2010, 08:45 PM	#7
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: rear end rattle My moneys on the panhard bar being noisy with the rest of the guys, this problem is as common as rusted rockers and cab corners.

03-17-2010, 10:21 PM	#8
Bullseye54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ormond Beach Fla Posts: 43	Re: rear end rattle Do you have a receiver hitch on the truck? Several times I've had a cluncking/rattle & its been the hitch or pin.........Bob __________________ 1967 C20 Custom - 396/TH400 1968 GMC short step-350/M21

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