Last summer I replaced the rear struts in my 4cyl '99 and shortly after started to hear an occasional popping sound from the rear. I don't drive the car much and it only happened occasionally, so I didn't do much about it. Now, I'm driving it more and the popping is getting a lot worse. It mostly happens when brake to come to a stop, but also over some hard bumps (speed bumps, intersection gutters, etc). It seems like it's coming from the rear middle of the car, where the sway bar attaches under the car. Has anyone had this experience and how and what do I fix?

Thanks in advance.

 

Did you also replace the rear upper strut mounts along with the struts? If not drive the car over bumps while someone in the back seat listens for the noise in the area of the upper strut mounts.

Or could be sway bar bushings. These are more difficult to inspect as the bushing may look OK but still be worn enough to cause noise. Wrap the sway bar where the bushing mounts with Teflon tape and determine if the noise goes away (this is a temp fix). Or could be the sway bar end links.

The 4 suspension link rods attach in the middle of chassis, on occasion the end bushings wear out.

Check outboard suspension arms bushing and trailing arm bushing.

Check the rear axle assy for play by attempting to move it forward and back as if simulating braking.

 

I didn't change the strut mounts. The noise sounds lower than that, but I'll definitely check it out. Is the sway bar bushings replacement something I can do on my own? I've never tried it out.

Also, if any of that stuff is bad, is it dangerous to drive? I can't really get to it soon. I can only work outside an there's still snow on the ground here

 

The sway bar bushings are easy enough to change. YouTube may have a video. Worn sway bar bushings are not a danger, just noisy.

If concerned about something more serious, raise each tire off the ground and try to move it every direction to check for loose suspension parts caused by worn suspension arm bushings.

 

Great! Thanks for the insight. I'll get those replaced as soon as I can. I'll try that moving each tire also, like you suggested.