Hey everyone, I've got an '86 IROC 5speed with a 305 fed by a rochester quagrajet. When I go over speed bumps slowly in this thing, the rear end sounds like the springs are making weird noises. I hear odd pops and clunks when the rear end changes ride height. Off hand, does anybody know what might be happening? When I motor down the road and go over cracks and stuff, the whole rear end feels like it's collapsing or something. When I get it on the highway, it handles beautifully. Do you think maybe I need new rear suspension bushings or something? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

IROCMTL

 

i have a similar problem..and i was told to put in new shocks and springs..and a new lower control arm...havent installed them yet..but it seems to be a common problem with 3rd gens...Almost every 3rd gen camaro owner at one point has had a problem with the rear "hopping" or "clunking" hope this helps..

 

Did you do Sub Frame Connectors yet? The heavy rattling 'collapsing' sound you describe could be magnified by chassis flex (uneven surfaces). Feels good on the freeway because its a nice even surface. SFC's will tighten the chassis up. The noise itself could be alot of stuff: springs, shocks, or bad bushings. Start with the cheapest fix and go from there (probably bushings, and then shocks, then springs). You definately cant hurt yourself by upgrading suspension parts or strengthening the chassis, especially if the car is old and has high miles (like most of our cars). If you want to learn more about how to test the rear springs and shocks, try a search. There was a big discussion on finding out what exactly is bad a few months ago.

 

look at you sway bar ends too.....three of my friends have had that problem and it was the sway bar links...rust and other things make those end go bye bye...this could be a cheap way of fixing the problem, but if this is the problem the you can save on the springs but i would still bye new shocks just because it is a big change that helps sooooooo much....springs are pretty age defiant as long as no torch has played with them, they sag but keep doing there job....if you want to really handle go with some aftermarket springs like eibach,,,can't beat the difference...

 

I hear a clunk when I accelerate or decelerate sometimes from the rear end. I was told by an AAMCO technician that is most likely was a worn pinion and ring gear.

If it was something like a worn shock you would think your handling would be affected too. You can always try the time tested method of replacing the least expensive first on up to the most expensive

 

very important.....CHECK YOUR TRANNY MOUNT....

 

Had the tranny mount replaced about a year ago.

 

i have that same problem, it might be your tail pipe. thats what mine is. the rubber supports on one side are weak and whenever i go over a bump there are lots of sounds(the tailpipe bouncing too much and hitting my car)

 

regardless I would still check it just in case. I used to work at a tranny shop and when I first got my motor back from getting some high performance work done I was breaking tranny mounts every month. it made a really loud clunk on acceleration and deceleration but it didn't affect my handling. So then I got a polyurathane mount and I haven't broken one since. Your problem sounds the same as mine, and I wouldn't be surprised if you've broken one within a years time.

 

Standard reply by AAMCO, NEVER go to this type of shop. Ring and Pinion on a V-6 car, the last thing that well go.

 

You replaced the trans mount a year ago; that probably means that it's been bad for the last 11 months.

I recall changing mine out one time, and breaking it the very first time I test-drove it.

Listen to Sky. I've had the same experience, found the same solution, problem solved permanently (so far...)