Jim Grant's Tech Tips

'97 Chevy Cavalier, Backend Rattle

Q: I was wondering if you have ever heard of a rattling noise that comes from the trunk area of a ’97 Cavalier, and if so what is it and how can I fix the annoying sound it makes?

- Karen

A: The upper shock mounts cause one of the more common rattle problems we see with your vehicle. The metal sleeve inside the mounting bushing breaks loose from the rubber and causes a thump and rattle that is maddening. Diagnosing it can be a problem if you do not know what to look for. Just the littlest bump will make these mounts rattle and bang in a manner that you’d think the back end of the vehicle is falling out. Also beware that the installation instructions for some new rear shocks for your vehicle are incorrect. If the installation procedure is followed by the instructions found with the shocks it will cause the bushing to fail prematurely.