They would have to be pretty bad to make noise; then you'd see the rubber squirted out and probably signs of a reddish rust on them.
There is a tool you might be able to borrow or rent from an auto parts store that borrows them called the "Chassis Ear". It is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and headphones. You clip the microphones to suspect points, then drive around while listening with the headphones. You can move the microphones around to zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware that many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to find rattles, squeaks, and other noises.
Don't overlook a loose spare tire and worn bushings on the shock absorbers.
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:50 PM
