1999 Plymouth Voyager Rattling noise and vehicle vibration

SAINTBERNARD

MEMBER
1999 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

My van is making a rattling sound from the passenger rear wheel area whenever I go over a bump. It is also vibrating the whole vehicle at highway speeds, but only intermittently. When it starts to vibrate, I can slow down and it will eventually stop. I don't know if the two problems are related or not. I also don't know if it is pertinent information or not but I had the rear brake shoes replaced, cylinders replaced, and drums turned this past July.
Thanks very much.

5 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Pull the rear brake on that side, and check to make sure everything is in order. I think one of the springs came loose/broke off.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, December 14th, 2008 AT 5:36 PM

SAINTBERNARD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Will a broken spring on the brake assembly make the whole vehicle vibrate? The vibration is similar to a badly bent rim.
Thanks for the reply!

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, December 14th, 2008 AT 9:02 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Yes, it will.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, December 15th, 2008 AT 4:44 PM

SAINTBERNARD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well, after working the 'look at the problem' time into my hectic life, I pulled the wheel again, pulled the drum, and didn't find any broken springs or anything. I can move the brake assembly up and down by hand and noticed that there are two springs, one on either shoe, with a post coming from the back of the assembly to the front and they seemed loose. I took the van to the brake shop and they say that the brakes are fine. It still rattles. Any other ideas? I think I will take it to another branch of the same chain for a second opinion.
TIA

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 AT 8:34 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

[Quote]It is also vibrating the whole vehicle at highway speeds, but only intermittently[end quote]

You also may want to check these suspension parts, along with the shock absorber and the wheel (for possible bent rim - but I highly doubt it).