[Jodi]

Started about 6 months after I bought my Santa Cruz. Little clunking noise in the rear end. Took it to dealership they changed out the shock mounts. Seem like got better for a little bit maybe my imagination. Noises back have taken it in two more times. First time they heard it but said I had a ratchet strap in one of my boxes in the back of my truck that was making the noise. The strap was removed the noise is still there. Took it and again today but the noise was not able to be heard. Yesterday the noise happened all day long today not so much. Yesterday it was about 30° today it's about 50 and raining. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Have an appointment for next week to see if we can figure it out. It seems to happen most when backing out of my drive, accelerating slowly, sitting at a hard stop and gently letting off the break. And when hitting any kind of bump in the road even the slightest. I have read of other people having this problem and told the mechanic at the dealership that there's a form that has this problem listed on it. No one seems to have come back with an answer as to if they've ever gotten rid of it. If anyone has had this and figured it out please respond!

 

[hligo11]

I have heard some on this forum say that the spare tire could be loose and that has caused it. Have you checked that?

 

[Jodi]

I have heard some on this forum say that the spare tire could be loose and that has caused it. Have you checked that?

I have heard some on this forum say that the spare tire could be loose and that has caused it. Have you checked that?

Yes thank you I have. We've taken everything out of all rear compartments, taking out the spare tire, replaced shock mounts and still nothing seems to make it go away.

 

[McFly88]

Mine makes the noise when backing down a slight incline. I did see a post complaining about this same symptom but only when the fuel tank gets low. A fill up fixes it.

There was no explanation as to why the full tank eliminates the thud but this does eliminate a lot of variables. Easy enough to test.

PS: My spare is good and secure

 

[lw6197]

Full fuel tank equals about 150 pounds of weight in the rear end.

 

[McFly88]

Full fuel tank equals about 150 pounds of weight in the rear end.

Thanks Ix6197. This would be about 75lbs more than my half full tank when it is making the noise. I am not sure what you are suggesting though. Thanks.

 

[childoffire79]

Little clunking noise in the rear end. Took it to dealership... First time they heard it but said I had a ratchet strap in one of my boxes in the back of my truck that was making the noise...

This is exactly what's wrong with dealerships and the lazy post COVID work force. If it truly was as simple as the ratchet strap don't you think a reasonable person would remove it and re test the condition rather than simply blaming the strap and then moving onto the next customer? Like wtf is wrong with people?!

 

[Jodi]

That's what I thought. They said that someone over booked them with 50 appointments for that day. So back for round 4 on Friday.

 

[Trucklet4me]

I had this same problem start this morning. I was driving on our little local street and braked hard when I missed the driveway to my buddy's house.

The noise started right after that.

In the afternoon, my boy and I emptied the trunk, all compartments and the back seats. We pulled the draw bar from the hitch and made sure the hitch was tight, lowered and re-raised the spare tire, made sure the air in all 4 tires was nominal, then re-tested. No joy.

I have a service appointment already scheduled for March 31st, so I'll bring it up then.

 

[Jodi]

I will post if we get any answers on Friday. Do you hear it as much when it rains?.