# Shocks and Struts

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 24, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399 "2008-05-24T18:06:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rwsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rwsmith/32/5481_2.png) [@rwsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwsmith)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399/1 "2008-05-24T18:06:38Z")

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Good Morning!  
  
  
  
 I have a 1995 Chevy Lumina in great shape with 135K miles.  
  
  
  
 Lately, I occasionally hear noises in the rear…as if something is rattling in the trunk. The trunk is basically empty and secure.  
  
  
  
 Could I need shocks? Not sure when they were replaced last. I think struts are on the front and shocks on the rear. A auto shop which I’ve done biz with in the past said to bring it in…which I will. Just would like another opinion.  
  
  
  
 From what I read on the internet…30K is typically the time to replace. I went around the car, to each corner and tried to bounce it…and it only did so 1-2 times.  
  
  
  
 Any suggestions?  
  
  
  
 Thanks!  
  
  
  
 Cheri

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399/2 "2008-05-24T18:51:13Z")

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A rattle from the rear does not make the struts the prime suspect. You need to get down and poke everything with a long tool or broomstick – exhaust, brake drums or rotors, strut cartridge, etc, to see if anything seems loose. Also check for loose tools in the trunk’s wheel well. Otherwise a mechanic might remove a forgotten screwdriver and tell you that you need to replace the struts right away.

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**Author:** ![profhandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@profhandy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/profhandy)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399/3 "2008-05-24T19:48:51Z")

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Sounds to me like an exhaust system rattle or a trunk rattle, i.e.: loose tool. Perhaps your on-board (in the wheel well or between the wheel well cover and inside a fender) lug nut wrench or vehicle jack? How about something loose with the spare tire securing system? Should you find a forgotten tool, just give it to a favorite male friend. He’ll like you for it unless he’s a geek that doesn’t know much about cars. But, then, it’s still the thought that counts, right?

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**Author:** ![rwsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rwsmith/32/5481_2.png) [@rwsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwsmith)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2008, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-and-struts/14399/4 "2008-05-26T13:56:49Z")

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Perfect…thanks so much for the help!!!

Cheri