Help Troubleshoot Rear End Death rattle.

[Bessie the Mud Slayer]

Well,

Got a nasty sound coming from rear end.
Best I can explain is sounds like some Heavy duty metal on metal when either:
A. Jarring bump (think brutal pothole)
B. Minor bump while cornering.

I can sometimes simulate this if, when parked, I grab the rear bumper and wiggle side to side like a madman, like really get it rocking!

However, its hard, and unsafe probably to stick my head in by the rear axle while any of the above is taking place.

I have recently replaced rear shocks and all bushings as well as the rear sway bar linkage and bushings. I have removed the spare tire and rack to eliminate that as the source.

So, the question to the masses; what the !#%& could be causing this? About all that's back there is axle, shocks, leafs....brakes....ehrm....and stuff ?

Its possible i heard it coming from the left leaf spring....but as mentioned, hard to tell.

[lrp374]

Was the noise there before you replaced all the stuff you listed?

[Big-Bird]

Check the leaf spring packs for a cracked/broken or missing leaf.
Check for worn out leaf spring bushing(s).
Broken exhaust hanger or bent exhaust pipe. The muffler can bang around and sound like a suspension thud if a hanger bracket is damaged or pipe is bent.

Check for broken transmission or motor mounts.

Check the top of the rear differential for impact marks from the spare tire carrier. A bent carrier rack could make contact with the rear differential.

Check the driveshaft for weak u-joints or slip joint.

[FalcoColumbarius]

I'm putting my money on the sway bar links, maybe bushings. Is it possible that they weren't properly torqued down?

Just a shot in the dark.

Falco.

[Bessie the Mud Slayer]

I did the rear sway bar links & bushings thinking thats what the noise was all about (and they really needed a change). The noise comes and goes, been quiet since the post....

I did the rear shocks last spring. This noise was nowhere to be seen untill ......

1. About 6 months ago the noise came up, and has come and gone... until.....
2. the mechanic told me about 3 months ago that the rear sway bar links were toast....
3. Shortly after the noise came up sporadically.....(more persistent than before...)
4. 3 weeks ago, hit a gnarly pothole in Vancouver, noise persisted with 'cornering symptoms' mentioned in original post until....
5. 2 weeks ago, changed the rear sway bar stuff. Noise went away, thought 'You da man...' until....
6. 2 days ago, got my summer tires put on, noise was back when I left the tire shop. I thought 'Those &%*@heads, broke my van....'
7. Got home, did the wiggling thing, (mentioned in original post), noise was there, said f-it, came inside and posted.

Next time its not raining, I'll wash and give the leafs a good inspection, as well as the rear dif. No clue how to check some of the other suggestions here.......

PS the transmission mounts are toast, and are next up for replace.

[TieMyShoe]

can you grab a vid?

[Big-Bird]

The tranny mount is toast you say? likely the source of the thud.

The exhaust brackets: look at the entire length of the exhaust system and see if the rubber parts are still in place at each support bracket. The L300 should have 3 or 4 along the entire length.

Leaf spring bushings: use a heavy duty pry bar and check for excessive play at the ends of each leaf pack. The rear of the Delica needs to be lifted off the ground so the suspension has no vehicle load on it. Jack stands under the frame usually do the trick. A good tire shop might check them for free...

Look at the top of the rear differential for evidence of scrapes, marring or impacts. If this is evident your spare tire carrier could be out of position....did you back over something or bump a parking block?

Ujoints: these rattle vibrate all the time when worn out. They get worse with speed so this may not be your problem. The slip joint is the mid-point of the driveshaft and all you need to do is grab it with your hands and check for side to side(axial) movement. It should have little to zero axial play.