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2011 Small 'clunk' in rear end?

32K views 80 replies 28 participants last post by  lizardgt500  
#1 ·
I've not had any issues with my 2011 volt till now at 40,000 miles. When I go over a bump I can hear a 'clunk' coming from the right rear end. It almost sounds like a loose shock or bushing. As my bumper to bumper warranty is up due to mileage I'm curious if there is a known issue that I might fix myself instead of paying my dealer big bucks to diagnose and fix?

Thanks for any help you can give!
 
#3 ·
Yep, sounds like a bad shock/strut. I had a similar sound on my 2011 and it went away once they replaced it.
 
#4 ·
There was some strut issues with the 2011-12 that make that sound you want to check the strut bumper.
 
#5 ·
I have that on my 2013. It happens when I go over speed bumps or over driveway curbs. Sounds like a loose exhaust bracket but yes, could be a loose strut or bushing. I better get it checked out.
 
#7 ·
My 13 makes a similar "clunking" noise going over certain types of bumps. As a former drummer it has that "woodblock" sound when struck with the heavy end of a drum stick.

But since I can't replicate it at will I'm out looking for roads near my dealer that will trigger it. Aside from that my 13 is bank vault tight which is why this random noise is so annoying.
 
#8 ·
Evening Kincade,

I apologize that you are experiencing a noise with your Volt. I know you posted you are past b2b coverage due to mileage, but can you please PM me the last eight of your VIN and the best contact method for you. I would like to get you connected to your Dedicated Advisor and see if there is anything we can do.

Thank you,

-Ian Chevrolet EV Customer Service
 
#9 · (Edited)
I can hear rear left shock absorber scraping sound on wet and cold days when going over the speed bumps. Is this the same issue?

Edit: Here is the sound. It's twice, right after the front air dam touching the ground:


 
#10 ·
Ian, thanks for the reply. I just sent you a PM with the requested information. Thanks for your assistance.

AndY1, my sound is different than yours... Mine sounds like a bad shock in the right rear to me.
 
#12 ·
Out of curiosity, have you lifted up the cargo floor to check to see if anything loose is rolling around in the storage tray? Perhaps the inflator that came equipped with the car is loose. Just a thought. ...
 
#25 ·
I too have that "clack" sound in the back right. My car is less than two months old! I believe it is the hatch latch stop bolts, but I believe the rivets that had hold the bolts to the car, are not tight and therefore rattle over bumps. Will have my wife drive and I'll sit in the back to see if that's where it's coming from. If I take the bolt out, the noise should go away. Not a fix, Just want to try isolate the problem ... Will let you know what I hear.
 
#16 ·
My Volt Advisor called me back today after speaking to the dealership. She advised that shocks are considered a 'wear' item and even at only 40,000 miles, it is quite common to have to replace them on a Volt 'depending on driving style and where you drive'. SO, there you go.

Interestingly enough, I called another Chevy dealer and they quoted me $171 including parts to replace both rear shocks. I'm shocked at the variance between dealers. Shocks are being quoted as $25.81/each parts only. They do appear to be in stock at more than 1 dealer in my town so I'd expect others of you will see the same problem soon.

I love this car, but the customer service at Chevrolet sure isn't what it is with other brands I've owned.
 
#17 ·
I've had the "clunking" sound in the rear right for quite a while also. I took it to a not-so-near dealer (the closest dealer isn't very good) and they didn't hear the sound. I have tinnitus in both ears yet I was able to hear it. I hear what you are saying, about Chevy service not being up to other brands these days. As far as replacing the shocks, I'm quite surprised at the $25.81/ea. price on the shocks. That $171.00 price seems very far, although in this area I can easily pay $300.00 for the pair replacement. I have less than a year to go on the lease, so I may just live with the clunking. I usually have the radio on, so it pretty much drowns out the clunking.
 
#18 ·
I had the rear shocks replaced the other day... AND, sound is still there. As near as I can tell it's a bushing or something loose in the rear suspension. I'm a little beyond frustrated, especially when the dealer diagnosed this as a rear shock problem. It's loud enough that if I cannot get it resolved I will likely sell the car.
 
#19 ·
I know how you feel. I'm sure it's a easy fix, once you know where the problem is. You almost need a microphone mounted in different locations to see where it's the loudest. Not very easy to do. I'll very likely turn my lease in because of a combination of the high buyout price and the clunking sound. I'm hoping the 2015's have it all sorted out, since the Volt is still my #1 pick on a new car.
 
#20 ·
Clunk started in the rear on mine now. Only heard at slow speeds and can easily be reproduced in parking lots where the pavement isn't glass smooth. Have an appointment to take it in Friday but I'm worried. Just moved to Frisco, Texas and you don't see this car down here. It's like a unicorn LOL.
 
#22 ·
Please let us know if they found the problem. My guess is it's an easy fix, and it's not the shocks, although that's the first thing they will replace. I'm wondering if the problem started after the battery shield installation. I can't remember whether I had the noise before that upgrade. I held off doing it, feeling I'd leave well enough alone and was worried about mechanics more proficient on ICE cars working on it. Volts are not that rare around her, but I'm amazed on the days I see more Telsa's than Volts.
 
#26 ·
Okay, a quick trip around the pothole infested Illinois streets where i live and here is what I discovered... The hatchback plastic bolt stops screw out. I removed the right one and "poof" the clack sound was gone. I screwed it back in and back was the clack sound. Again, I don't think the little plastic stop is defective, the clamp it screws into is bolted loosely into the hatch and makes the clack sound when the car hits a bump. Mine only makes the sound when the right side of the car hits the bump.

I would suggest you open the hatch, unscrew the plastic stop and take a test drive. If the sound is still there, it might be the strut or something else, but if its gone, you know it's the stop. I will contact the dealer on Monday to see what they can do to correct the problem. Good luck!
 
#30 ·
I adjusted the hatch stops as mentioned, unscrewing them out a bit. Very little movement now when pulling up on the bottom lid of the closed hatch. I'm not yet sure the noise is gone, but will check more thoroughly tomorrow. That said, I'd swear the noise is coming from the bottom of the car, near the shock, not the lid area.
 
#31 ·
Well they replaced both clamps that the plastic stops screwed into (left and right sides). The plastic pieces are now tight against the hatch with no play in them. The little rubber/plastic stops screw into them and the clack noise is gone! CHRG UP 1 is quiet once again!

If you can put your fingernail under the plastic piece and move it up and down, its too loose. have them replace the plastic rivets that hold them in. I hope you find your issue quickly.
 
#32 ·
Tightening them up on mine didn't do much for me after all. The clunk is still there. It's a low pitched sound. Probably not the same type sound as the hatch rattling. Still sounds like it's coming from the shock area. It remains a mystery!
 
#33 ·
NoRegrets - any update from the dealer?

I fiddled with my hatch stops; tightened them, loosened them, and removed them even; no change whatsoever. My sound still sounds like a shock, only the shock has been replaced without any change. It's baffling to me.
 
#34 ·
Nope. They said nothing is wrong and couldn't replicate the noise. I've given up on trying to make this car quality and am just trying to get through the lease.
 
#37 ·
Just went under the car myself. My theory of coil bind is out, they are linear springs. That is a common issue with progressive springs because of the proximity of the closer coils. They are very noisy if you don't use isolation rubber. The shock they replaced was that side, confirmed. I cannot for the life of me figure out what the noise is back there.
 
#38 ·
Same issue here. I've been under the car a number of times; everything is tight, bushings look and feel as they should, nothing is loose. I can't replicate the noise when the car is at a standstill. But it's driving me crazy when I drive the vehicle around.
 
#40 ·
Yeah, I did the same thing. Went to two dealer service facilities, both with condescending service personnel that were no help. I also jacked up the car myself and started checking for loose components. Everything looks in order.

The Volt is high on the list of replacement cars when this lease is up in less than 10 months, but I'm also starting to consider other options. Test drove a Ford C-Max and took a close look at the Lexus CT200h, which was way too small compared to the Volt or C-Max.