wierd sound coming from the back

[SupaStealth]

hey all, i was just wondering if ya could help me out. when i turn my car at pretty low speeds at 90 degree turns every once in a while, it makes a loud "popping" noice, when it did it the first time it sounded like my tire came off of the wheel. It almost sounds like something is binding back there.

Have any of you had any noises like this?

also, it doesn't do it very often(maybe 3 times in the past 2 months), and i havent noticed a pattern to the direction i'm turning in, i know it has happened when i turn left, and appeared to be coming from the rear passger side.

[miklar]

I have had an odd, very low-grade noise coming from the rear of my Aurora too. It's been around for years now (I've had it since '95) and no one at any of the dealerships could detect it. It is most noticeable at very low speeds, like the kind you would drive in a parking lot. It's a sort of thumping sound that seems to be coming from the rear underside/trunk area of the car. I have no idea what is causing this noise and I seem to be the only one who can hear it too. Sorry I cannot offer any suggestions for you. Just thought I would share.

[scottydl]

Supa, when you say "popping" sound? Like a balloon popping, a plastic piece popping out of place maybe, or a metal pop?

FWIW, I had a similar experience from the front end of my Bonneville on slow turns/bumps, and it ended up being a swaybar endlink bolt that had broken in half and was shifting around. Fairly simple driveway repair, even for me.

[dred98]

I've seen this come up on several threads at AF - but it's usually a noise from the front of the car and something to do with the suspension.

[SupaStealth]

hmm, this will be a tough one so that everyone can understand, umm, i guess it would sound as if something was binding back there, i don't really know how else to explain it , it wasn't like a baloon popping. it just made one noise, not like it continued to make the binding noise. almost like something shifted back there.

[JimW]

The rear suspension system on the early Aurora is easy to review for problems. I bet Scotty is onto something with the tie rod endlinks.

If its the front end you would have a feedback feeling in the steering wheel. That is one of the 3 power steering hoses. It has to do with resonance frequency of the hoses, apparently the length, or the pressure of the fluid in the lines (specifics I dont know) vibrates at the resonance frequency of the hose itself (all objects in nature has a resonance frequency, think Tacoma Narrows Bridge). GM has a universal hose replacement however its no a recall since it doesnt damage the car, its just a nuissance.

Methinks its your tie rods in the back.

[kobalt]

SupaStealth, from what you say I would check rear swaybar mounts for cracks/play. In any case you should lubricate them with some silicone spray along with your rear subframe mounts.

EDIT: check/lube the swaybar links as well

[SupaStealth]

Yeah, i'm pretty confident that my ears aren't decieving me, and that it is coming from the rear, i'll have to check the swaybars and all that rear stuff like kobalt said.

[Moe2244]

Hey, this is my first time communicating on this forum.
What a Godsend! All the ideas from experienced Aurora owners.

Could it be that this mysterious noise, could be the rear end lift suppport that adjusts itself when it detects a change in weight, like adding a lot of groceries or even rear seat passengers? Does the sound lasts for about 8 to 10 seconds then stops?

[JimW]

Sounds like your refering to the ELC (electronic leveling control), it indeed makes a whirring sound, but never a popping sound.

Worth a check though