All right, DU Car Mechanics, help me guesstimate how much I'm FOCKED

[DS1]

One day I got in my car and started to drive home, but every slight bump made a metal on metal scraping noise coming from the rear wheel well. Driving along flat roads there's no noise at all, and less noise when turning left, probably because there's some more play.

I think it's a worn or broken strut mount, and the strut is banging/scraping up against something it shouldn't be.

The sound is coming from here:



I can't see anything, nothing appears to be broken further down, but the car does appear to be sitting a half-inch lower on that side, by using a very inaccurate measurement (how far my hand reaches in between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel arch). Giving everything a good shake doesn't make it feel like there's anything loose.

So. Should I just forget about buying anything nice for awhile, or am I as Pacino would put it, well and truly FOCKED?

Thanks.

[flvegan]

1. Go out and press up and down on that corner of the car.

Does it rebound? Do you hear the noise? Give it a good couple bounces.

[DS1]

2. I have, it rebounds fine

and there's no audible noise. Only when there's wheel motion does it really happen. I think being inside the car also amplifies the noise I'm hearing.

[flvegan]

3. Maybe the strut/spring

is half shot (hence the bounce) and the locating arm is rubbing on something over bumps.

Doesn't really matter. You're going to need to see a mechanic, so yes, focked is a good word.

[mikeytherat]

4. I would suspect a failed shock tower mount

They look like this (on my BMWs):


and are usually not too expensive and not too difficult to replace. You'd most likely have to remove all of the molded plastic trim around the rear shock tower to access this part and, depending on the car (Eclipse?), remove that shock and it's mount, replace the mount, and reinstall the shock.

mikey_the_rat

[DS1]

5. The car I posted is the same as my model

by plastic trimming, you mean something on the inside of the car, or will it simply unbolt from underneath?

The 'other' problem is, the rear hatch has been frozen for years, I can't get it open more than a few inches. They'll probably have to break the hydraulic lifts to get it open, but I'm okay with that, it'll be nice to have that functionality back (being able to open the lift)

[mikeytherat]

8. Access it from the inside - "plastic" being the molded, carpeted trim

in the hatch area. The mount is the part that couples the shock physically to the car at the shock tower (essentially, it is the bushing between the top of the shock and the car's shock tower). The top of the mount is inside the car (along with the bolts to remove it).

mikey_the_rat

[DS1]

12. found it

kudos for Mitsu engineers, I had the cover off in minutes, it folded right up after taking out two screws.

Well that's one less thing they can bill me for, I left it off :D

[DainBramaged]

6. I buy my parts here, from Advance Auto parts on line

http://www.partsamerica.com/ and pick up in the store. You'll have to replace both rear struts, which are pressed in and out of their mounts. You could need mounts (maybe) too. It ain't as bad as it seems, but it is dangerous to drive around with a broken strut.


$275 tops for both. Installed. Check your Sears stores too. Pep Boys, Checkers, Kragens, tons of places have specials on struts.

[DS1]

7. Hmm, I figured the last set of struts put on were cheap

that was an adventure in rip-off.

*sigh* Every time you think you're about to see some real positive cash flow *whack*

[DainBramaged]

9. JUST before I went back in the hospital my 'ole Blazer was treated to

Radiator

Water Pump

Intake gaskets

Front and rear shocks,

rear backing plates, (rusted through)and axle seals

shifter cable

and four new Michelin LT tires.


I couldn't replace 'ole Margret for a grand so I gave in and winterized her for the last time.

She's happy now.:pals:

[mainegreen]

10. Sounds like you've got a squirrel in the YJ-Mount.

Place some nuts on the ground at night to lure him out, and you should be all set.

[DS1]

11. will save money on cat food, too

:crazy: