Q: Clicking noise coming from rear

asked by on May 12, 2016

My vehicle has a rattle coming from the rear while driving over rough roads. At first, I thought it might be the spare tire rattling around, but I checked and it's not that. When I rock the car from side to side, it makes a clicking sound. Is this something on the rear sway bar, or could it be something else?

Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

It could be the sway bar links or bushings making the noise. However, the noise could be caused by a number of things. The only way to know for certain is to have a trained professional inspect your vehicle firsthand to pinpoint the source of the noise.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does the Maintenance Minder™ work?
It can be tough to keep up with maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Even if the shop you use remembers to put the reminder sticker in your windshield, it can still slip your mind. The Maintenance Minder™ on...
How do I reset the Maintenance Minder?
The Maintenance Minder lets you know when your vehicle is due for regular maintenance. The system can be reset after your car has received maintenance. Here’s how to reset the Maintenance Minder using the multi-information display: 1. Turn the ignition...
Drive shaft replaced, now van won't go forward
I am not aware of any problems about removing and replacing a driveshaft when the vehicle is warm. I however have seen transaxle damaged from not installing the axle all the way into the transmission and engaging the axle fully...
After starting SUV, 4 indicator lights come on
There are several reasons that this could happen. A system voltage dip or spike can cause all of these systems to illuminate their indicators or a fault that compromises the drivability of the engine such a mass airflow (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) or...
Intermittent misfire that sets a random misfire code and three injector circuit failure codes.
Hello. Intermittent and random misfires can be caused by many things. If all of those components check out, it may be possible that one of the fuel injectors is dirty or clogged, and is not delivering fuel properly. It may...
Radio light goes out with the light switch turned on.
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. If the radio is a stock radio and not an aftermarket radio, then the lights should be tied into the dimmer switch. Turn the dimmer switch to adjust the lights and see if...
Why won't my 2004 Audi A6 Quattro charge brand new battery??
Hello. Most of the time the issue is in the wire coming from the battery to the alternator. This small wire has a tendency to fail and have high resistance. This needs to be checked first. If that is not...
Hello, I have a 96 Chevy Tahoe 4wd and I have a lot of play in my steering wheel. What does that mean?
When you have a lot of play in the steering then you should have the entire steering system checked for loose or worn steering tie rod ends.
Transmission only shifts Manuel and stays in first in drive
Hi Jose. Thanks for contacting us tonight. When you have problems like you’ve described, it is usually caused by one of two possible sources. Either the shift interlock solenoid is damaged, or there is internal damage or fluid obstructions inside...

Related articles

What Is a Strut?
People talking about vehicle suspensions often refer to “shocks and struts.” Hearing this, you may have wondered just what a strut is,...
2012 Toyota Prius vs. 2012 Chevrolet Volt: Which One Should I Buy?
While these two vehicles are both certainly cost-effective to drive, they can be difficult to compare due to the Prius’ entry in the mid-size category and the Volt living squarely in the compact car category. Both of these vehicles are...
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Trailing Arm Bushings
Common signs include a clunking noise when you accelerate or brake, excessive and uneven wear on tires, and loose steering when turning corners.