Focus Wagon: Noises from driver's side rear, give a listen

"NaturallyAspirated" (NaturallyAspirated) 11/14/2013 at 17:17 • Filed to: Focus problems, video of a noise

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My buddy (let's call him "N" to protect his identity) drives a 2001 Ford Focus Wagon. The current problem is a rather loud rattly, clunky noise coming from the driver's side rear. He and I took the car for a quick spin today on lunch break and he sat in the back seat and recorded this video. I'm driving around 25-30MPH in the video. At around 38 seconds, I go through a roundabout, and the noise seems to worsen when transferring weight off that side of the car.

After looking around underneath the car, the car definitely needs new rear swaybar endlinks. I'm not sure of the condition of the shocks, although both rear shocks are securely attached at both ends and neither seem to be seeping. The hub bearings are nice and tight.

Other problems that were easier to diagnose are a failed motor mount and an alternator on it's way out. "N" has received a stern talking-to about keeping his car in good shape.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > NaturallyAspirated 11/14/2013 at 17:23

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I drove a civic that had a similar noise once. Every bump it hit made a rattle/squeak like that, and it also had bump steer when the front end hits bumps. I'm thinking suspension/sway bar too.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > NaturallyAspirated 11/14/2013 at 17:24

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"My buddy (let's call him "N" to protect his identity)"

I notice your username starts with an "N"... Hmm...

lepie > NaturallyAspirated 11/14/2013 at 17:25

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Check all suspension bushings for play using a crow bar. One of them probably ate it. Failing that, check all exhaust mountings, exhaust might be banging on the car.

NaturallyAspirated > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 11/14/2013 at 17:43

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Heh. I assure you, that's just a coincidence...