Can tow truck damage appear 10 months later?

KENELS2

MEMBER
2000 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
135,000 MILES

A tow truck driver forgot to turn off the switch in my trunk. The shop where my car was towed to informed me that the rear right leveling sensor was broken, and a bracket was bent. They were kind to unbend it the best they could.

I drove it as little as possible, as the rear was bouncing like crazy from the broken leveling sensor. After 5 days the tow truck company agreed to replace it. I was only able to find a used one on Ebay. It worked and the car ran smoothly again.

I had no further suspension issues until 10 months later. I'm currently hearing a clunking sound on that same side (the right rear) upon every bump in the road. The back end of the car is very low to the ground.

I'm guessing if the rear air bags were damaged and had a slow leak. Is it possible this was caused by the incident from 10 months ago?

I should also mention that I hit some big puddles during a storm recently. But I don't know if that has anything to do with this.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

Hi,

If there had been a leak, it wouldn't have happened 10 months ago. This would be something new. I say that because there is a compressor that lifts the rear of the vehicle each time it is needed.

Now, for the clunk you hear, have you checked to see if the part they replaced has broken or come apart? I ask because if it is broken, that could make noise and cause the rear of the vehicle to sag.

The first thing I suggest is to crawl under the rear of the vehicle where the sound is coming from. Check for any damaged or broken parts. Try this and let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 7:27 PM

KENELS2

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I looked underneath and everything looked okay. But I noticed some play in the sway bar (right, rear side) which is where I hear the clunking when I go over bumps. There was oil on the tire near it (again, right rear side).

When I first turn the ignition on, the compressor hums as if the air suspension is raising the level. But it never rises, so the humming just continues endlessly until I put the car in reverse.

My battery is 4 years old. Maybe replacing it will fix the sagging rear (which I assume to be the air bags not working).

My car has other symptoms of being haunted right now:
-One interior light not working
-Seat mysteriously adjusts when I'm absent
-Heat / AC sounds different upon hitting the off button

I'm wondering if replacing the battery is likely to resolve my suspension issue?

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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 AT 12:36 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

Hi,

If you hear the compressor running, chances are it isn't the battery. Instead, it sounds like you have an air leak.

Oil on the tire? Is the shock leaking? Could it be brake fluid? Check the brake fluid level to make sure it isn't low.

As far as the stabilizer, I attached a pic below and highlighted what I believe you are referring to. Please confirm.

If that is the issue, make sure the sway bar isn't broken. If it isn't, that is a very inexpensive part to replace.

The electrical issues in the vehicle are interesting. If you could, copy and paste that section to a new thread so someone helps you through it. We ask that the posts stay specific to one topic, so they are more helpful to others. I hope you understand. Here is the link to start a new post.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Let me know about the oil you find and the part I indicated.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)