Rear suspension knock., Searching wasn't helpful. Options

[richee3]

I recently installed TRD coilovers on the Celica to replace the aged stock suspension. The struts weren't totally blown but they weren't great and the springs had to have helper blocks in them, but they were quiet. After lowering, we found that the rear started knocking quite badly. Based on recent threads, I replaced the rear sway bushings with 16 mm with Energy Suspension bushings and the end links with Racing Beat Miata end links. While this cut the knocking down by half, there is still a persistent knock. It only happens at low speeds and seems to be from the right side more than the left, but it isn't strictly on one side or the other. All nuts and bolts have been checked and are confirmed to be tight.

When I searched, the only potential suspects I can find are trailing or control arms or the exhaust hitting the car. I don't believe it's the exhaust since it only happens at low speeds and I've followed the Celica and the exhaust seems stationary. So what are the odds that I need new rear bushings and it didn't become apparent until I was lowered? Anything else I should check? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

By the way, I'm intending to replace my rear bushings anyway, I just haven't done it yet. Procrastination is terrible.

[trdproven]

are the bump stops gone or are you bottoming out and your shock is dead? could be your pillowball bearing.

[richee3]

are the bump stops gone or are you bottoming out and your shock is dead? could be your pillowball bearing.

I'm not bottoming out, at least. I'll have to wait until next week when I've got more time to take everything apart and try finding the noise again. I've rode in the back seat to try to figure out whether the noise is coming from the top or bottom. It was difficult to tell. With no weight on the coils, I can spin the springs by hand but they aren't set up like my old springs, where the spring has to sit in a mount. I don't think this is the issue, however, since the springs can't move around- only spin in place. I'll have to wait until early next week to try to find anything though.