A few weeks ago my 1988 Pontiac Firebird started making a creaking/clunking noise on the right rear side. I thought the rear shocks needed replaced, so I replaced so those brand new. The noise didn't go away, and seems to be getting worse.

Here are two links to videos where I recorded the noise on my Youtube channel, please take a listen:


All help is appreciated and all help solving this would be greatly appreciated; as I am a beginner!

 

This is happening just when you turn to the right, Sooooooooooo have you checked out the front wheel wells to see if your tires are rubbing any where.

 

Well I have re-read the post and see it is coming from the rear end Sorry. OK then if we are lucking it might be a wheel bearing or a loose brake. Do you know if you have rear drum or disc brakes?

 

I would also make sure that all the lug nuts are tight on the rear wheels. Just a few things to check out Shaubloom. Have you had the cover off of the rear differential for inspection yet?

 

You should also check for a possible bent rear axle. Are you going to do the work yourself?

 

Sounds to me like someone was already "helping you out" in your back seat.

On a serious note- Lets listen to the obvious. Something is rubbing as the assembly spins. That equals something being misaligned or bent. Take it to a professional shop and have them inspect it. It does not sound safe. I would sugggest having it towed to a repair shop.

Anyones guess without seeing it in person would simply be- a bent axle, or a bent wheel, or metal on metal brake componants completely worn down(internal brake drum assembly)

 

What are you doing to it in the videos to make that noise?

 

Rear Passenger side.

 

The second video sounds to me like she was standing there recording noise as someone drove the car past her at about 5 MPH. My strong guess is the brake drum is warped and brake shoes are gone (extremely worn out) and making that pulsing grinding noise as the car rolls past.

EDIT: ..I listened again- make that a 10-15 mph pass, not 5

 

The car is actually parked... If I were to drive on the smoothest surface, the noise wouldn't happen. Any little bump, speed bump, anything to make the rear end of the car bounce up and down makes the noise. To make the noise in the video, we were pushing down on the rear end of the car repeatedly to make the noise. It doesn't happen at all when I use the brakes. When I first replaced the shock absorbers it actually stopped and seemed to fix it for about a week. Then the noise came back about a week later.

 

The car is actually parked.. We are bouncing the car up and down in the back to get the noise. It doesn't make the noise when braking or driving without bumps.

 

This just started happening randomly and progressively got worse.. Would a rear axle randomly bend?

 

Has an exhaust hanger came loose letting the pipe that goes over the axle rub against something maybe?

 

OK now we have more information. You will have to get under the car on jack stands if need be. Have some one push down on the car and see what is going on.

 

Thank you everyone for the help! I was able to purchase some Rhino Ramps and pinpoint what was going on. The spring slipped out of place somehow after installing the shock absorbers. Positioned spring back into correct place and fixed issue. Thanks all!

 

Great thanks for the update.