Clanking noise in the rear!! Options

[Bradley]

My 95 gt is making really loud banging noises... like somethings loose almost when I go over the slightest of bumps. The problem is especially bad at low speeds. Had the problem since I bought the car thinking it was a bad strut but never got around to replacing it. Since I've had the car 3 years or so I can notice it progressively worsening over time. Had a mechanic briefly look at it on the ground he said it didn't feel like shocks/struts were bad.

Could it be a wheel bearing. Im about to go out and spin the wheels and listen for any noise but this sounds and feels like I almost have no rear shocks at all. Any suggestions?? let me know if i need to be more detailed...

[convert]

This is my first post on this site.

I have '97 Celica convertible, which has had rear suspension clanking since the day I bought it, six months ago. I really wanted a smooth running car, as I have been spoiled by my BMW Z3 and many others. But I need the extra room the Celica has.

I took my car to the mechanic to look for the clanking on several occasions, and he completely disassembled the rear suspension, finding nothing. The mechanic did say that he thought the noise was high up. I removed the jack... still no improvement.

Finally I opened the trunk, and started to shake things around. I found that the spring struts were just a little loose, and when you shook them, the same kind of noise happened. So what I did, was to cover those trunk struts with a little foam rubber (insulation material), and NO MORE CLANKING!

I hope if you look in this unlikely place, you may find the same happiness I have!

Convert