Clicking noise coming from rear

My vehicle has a rattle coming from the rear while driving over rough roads. At first, I thought it might be the spare tire rattling around, but I checked and it's not that. When I rock the car from side to side, it makes a clicking sound. Is this something on the rear sway bar, or could it be something else?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It could be the sway bar links or bushings making the noise. However, the noise could be caused by a number of things. The only way to know for certain is to have a trained professional inspect your vehicle firsthand to pinpoint the source of the noise.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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A knocking or clicking sound may be due to the splines on the axle shafts being worn out, in which case the defective shaft has to be replaced. Another reason for this may be chipped teeth on one or more of the gears in the differential. Again, they`ll need to be replaced.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Trailblazer engine makes a ticking noise are low oil level or pressure, an issue with the ignition system, or an exhaust leak.
If your car is making clicking sounds when driving, a likely culprit is low or dirty engine oil. Motor oil lubricates all of the components so that you can drive with ease. If you are running low on engine oil, the metal parts may start to tap and grind over time.
Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.
If you hear a clunking noise from the rear of your car while driving, it`s likely the rear suspension system. As cars get older, the suspensions start to loosen which creates a clunking and rattling sound while driving.
A CV axle can typically be expected to last for 80,000 to 100,000 miles under normal driving conditions. You`ll know when the axle is about to fail when you begin to hear a loud, rhythmic clicking noise coming from the front wheel as you turn. That noise is due to a lack of lubricant in one of the CV joints.
Spark plugs.

If your vehicle is old and has high mileage, you may often hear ticking sounds. Worn-out or misaligned spark plugs can cause these. If the spark plug is not in position, exhaust fumes can bypass it and make the engine tick.

If you`re hearing a heater clicking noise in the car or clicking noise coming from deep within your dash, the problem is likely the blend door actuator. The actuators are either not positioned correctly, the gear may be stripped, or the actuator may be broken.
When a vehicle is making popping or clicking noises from near the wheel, it could be a sign of a serious issue. Continuing to drive a vehicle that has damaged struts or CV joints could result in more severe damage, and an unsafe vehicle to drive.
GM`s attempt to correct the “Chevy Shake” was through addressing an issue with the transmission fluid. GM recommends “owners replace the original transmission fluid with a lighter viscosity to correct the repair of the transmission and correct the shaking”.
What causes the Chevy Shake? The class action lawsuits named two causes for the Chevy Shake: a weak aluminum driveshaft and GM`s 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions. According to Kim v. Bostick, the aluminum driveshaft (known as a “propeller shaft” or “prop shaft”) weakens over time and eventually drops to the ground.
When a front CV axle goes bad, it will make a clunking noise as you make a slow turn. When a rear axle goes bad, the clunking or moaning sound will be in the back.
If you`re hearing a clicking noise when you turn the wheel, it could be an indication that your cv axle shaft is going bad. The clicking noise is caused by the CV joint at the end of the cv axle shaft.
“Clicking” Noises When Turning

It presents itself when you turn the vehicle, and it`s due to the loose joints of a worn CV axle. As with other symptoms, it`s important to bring your vehicle to a service center immediately if you hear this noise.

A knocking sound when going over bumps can indicate a problem with the suspension struts. There might be a clanking sound of metal hitting metal when you go over bumps. This could show the rubber bushes that join parts of the suspension have failed.
Whenever you hear a rattle, clunk or clanging sound. coming from your suspension, be sure to have it. checked out as soon as possible. A broken spring or.
When the timing belt starts to wear out, it may create a ticking sound inside the motor. This warning sign may also be an indication of low oil pressure or the engine not having the proper amount of lubrication.
If you notice a clicking noise while driving, check your engine oil. If your oil is not low or dirty, you may be dealing with a problem with the car`s battery, starter, axles, or brakes. Check each component carefully to diagnose the issue, or take it to a trusted mechanic.
A transmission should make little noise when operating properly. Your vehicle likely has a transmission (or clutch) problem if: There is buzzing or any other noise from the transmission. There is a clicking noise in transmission while in 4-wheel drive.
As the damage worsens, a faulty CV can produce a loud click, popping, or clunk sound. When making a tight turn at a low rate, frequent brake noise at low speed (caused by damage to the outer CV joints) causes grinding noises. A bad CV joint also causes a vibration in the steering wheel and the car`s floorboard.
GM Class-Action Transmission Lawsuit. Last week, a Michigan Judge certified 26 statewide classes of drivers who claim that GM sold vehicles with faulty transmissions that caused shudders and hard shifts that made the vehicles difficult to stop and sometimes made it feel as if they had been rear-ended.
When the inner CV joint is damaged or begins to fail, you will notice your car vibrating under hard acceleration. As it gets worse, the minor vibrations turn to violent shaking when under load. Damaged CV joints usually occur because of a tear in the joint boot.
A faulty oxygen sensor can certainly cause an engine to run rough and cause a bit of shaking due to the imbalance in the air/fuel load.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My 2003 ford explorer wont start up just get click click click click click click click click
ANSWER : If the battery is weak and the voltage is dropping to below 9 volts you will get the clicking without the starter turning the motor. Have the battery voltage checked and if battery cannot hold a load then replace it and clean the battery terminals and recheck system to see if it starts.

Clicking noise in driver side rear tire
ANSWER : Hello there. It is possible that the clicking is due to the brake job. A few different items can cause the clicking after a brake job. The two most common would be the backing plate rubbing on the the brake rotor or the brake pad backing plate not being installed properly. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to inspect the clicking noise and perform any repairs required.

Noise coming from the rear end.
ANSWER : Hi there. Sounds like the bearing on the differential or the wheel bearing on the rear wheels are worn. Raise up the vehicle and check the bearings by using a pry bar and prying up on the tire. See if the wheel moves or the axle and wheel moves. If you need further assistance with the loud noise on the rear of the vehicle, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Clicking noise in idle (link of Video of noise included)
ANSWER : Hi there. Although it is hard to pinpoint the exact source of this noise via a video, it sounds a lot like an exhaust leak. When the exhaust manifold of exhaust tubes age, they are exposed to elements, creating weakness in the metal and eventually will crack or break. It is also possible that this sound is caused by cylinder head hardware that is loose (such as lifters or rocker arms) or not getting enough lubrication. Again, without being there it is impossible to know for certain, but you might want to have a professional mechanic complete a car is making a noise inspection to determine what is causing this issue.

There’s a very loud clicking noise every few seconds from rear of car while driving
ANSWER : Hi there. This type of clicking noise is typically an indication of a brake pad that is dragging on the rotor or wheel bearings that are damaged. Most of the time if the sound increases in speed as the vehicle will, and is consistent; it will be the wheel bearing that needs to be replaced. It is always a good idea to have a professional mechanic complete a car is making a noise inspection before investing money in repairs, so they can isolate the root source of the problem.

Brief, loud clicking noise from dashboard area when AC is turned on.
ANSWER : The noise you are hearing is one of the HVAC door actuators that control air flow or temperature for the a/c. There are at least 4 of these actuators in your system and one of them is going bad and would need to be replaced. The one that is making the noise It’s hard to specify wxactly which one without checking the system first hand. In order to find the one going bad a mechanic would have to have their hand on each one and turn on the a/c and feel to see the failing actuator. Only then can a complete diagnosis be done. I recommend having a mechanic. like one from YourMechanic, come to you and diagnose your HVAC problem.

Humming noise coming from Right Front hub, click noise in the steering gear – What is the problem? 2004 Cadillac Escalade
ANSWER : Hello – I believe the humming noise you mention in the right front wheel area is a worn front wheel bearing/hub assembly. If the noise is louder when turning left while in motion, that would confirm the diagnosis. I would recommend having the right, front wheel bearing replaced by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs. The clicking noise while turning the steering wheel may be a problem with the upper steering shaft in the steering column. Cadillac has issued a technical service bulletin for problems with the steering performance (# 232985). Check with your Cadillac dealer service center for more information on this repair.

Chattering noises coming from transmission
ANSWER : Hello. From the symptoms you’ve described it would appear to me that there may be an issue with the clutch disc or perhaps flywheel.

If the contact surfaces of either are excessively worn it may cause intermittent chatter, as you are experiencing. If the clutch is still the original one than it may need to be replaced.

If you’d like a second opinion on this or would like to get this fixed, consider getting some help from a qualified mechanic who can diagnose the noise your car is making. Once this assessment is made an accurate repair can then performed.