Hey all, I'm in need of some help here. I own a 1997 Monte and I've got a problem with a clunking noise coming from the rear wheel which usually happens on a rough road and while traveling on gravel. I've got an idea that it's a shock/strut, whichever the '97 Monte has. However, I'm not 100% sure and that's where I'd like your help. What could it be and what would it cost to repair?

All help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Sounds like a strut mount may be the culprit. Not too spendy if you can do the labor yourself. (easy to do) ebay has the parts , a pair for $50

Monroe Strut Mate Strut Mounting Kit 902968 | eBay

 

Welcome to the forum. I have to agree with zippy cause I had a close issue with my monte making the clunking noise.

 

Also check the muffler hangers (muffler loose) and all bushings in the rear suspension.

 

Greg Is precisely right...
Its a common issue on the 5th gens...

If you haven't changed the struts out recently .. (Or not maintained at all)

It literally pounds the crap out of the upper strut mount.... If not taken care of immediately... the end result will be the Loss of the actually mounts molded into the car...and unless you know someone that can do that kind of repair... once the mount is beat literally out of the vehicle... you will find your self vehicle less...

You may want to look in the trunk and actually visually inspect thye struts body mount.... You maybe surprised what youll find! The 5th gens tend trap a lot of water in the strut body mount area and cause a lot of rusting....
In those areas... So I would definitely keep an eye on it....

1 preventative thing you can do (If its not all rusted out already) Get yourself some pors 15 and brush it in and around all the rust that's developing... It does stop rust dead in its tracks... That may help save your Monte. The only downside... Is theres also some areas that you cannot get to (Reach) that may continue rust in time... hopefully it isn't to bad and maybe prevent it from spreading thus allowing you to enjoy your Monte for Many more years to come.

 

Thanks for the help everyone! I will look into all of those things.