Thump in my Trunk - What's Causing This ?

[04MRADR]

Hi Everyone ! I have my 2004 Rauder with 241 K on it and love it still. I am also the original owner. It is now officially 20 years old since it was built on April 1, 2004 (no fooling). I have had a situation I first noticed a few months back and my mechanic of nearly 50 years and who has been able to diagnose any problem my Rauder has ever had is stumped by this so he asked me to ask you guys what it might be. I notice if I have to come to a sudden hard stop that once I've come to the stop and let up on the break pedal I hear a thump in my trunk or maybe more precisely it is coming possibly from under the car in the suspension. Has anyone ever had this happen to them and what is the solution ?

Thanks a bunch

John

[SilverPhoenix]

Parking brake shoe?

[BAD MERC]

I'd hook my peepers on the control arms. I felt something similar when mine were shot on my Town Car (with half your mileage). Those were replaced with stock and alleviated the sound I believe was the hard bushing moving fore and aft in the control arm bore under accel/decel. Rock the car back and forth in park and see if there's something evident.

[69Postss]

Put someone in the trunk and go for a spin to at least locate the whereabout of the noise.

[Blackmobile]

could be the shock absorber bushings could be worn.

[FordNut]

This may be the clunk we fought with about 20 years ago. Not sure exactly what it is, we worked on spare tires, exhaust system, control arms, watts link, shocks, even replaced body bushings. Sometimes one of those fixed it, sometimes the solution was never found.
When I say we, I mean tons of us Marauderers had this problem.

[Mr. Man]

I sort of remember the parking brake shoe was the cause of some noise. As I recall over time it disintegrates and caused unwanted noises. It's been a long time since I was under the Marauder, but all the listed items above could be the cause. Can't remember if there are bump stops but I had Mustang that had a loose one that clunked every time I hit a bump.

[04MRADR]

Hi Everyone ! I have my 2004 Rauder with 241 K on it and love it still. I am also the original owner. It is now officially 20 years old since it was built on April 1, 2004 (no fooling). I have had a situation I first noticed a few months back and my mechanic of nearly 50 years and who has been able to diagnose any problem my Rauder has ever had is stumped by this so he asked me to ask you guys what it might be. I notice if I have to come to a sudden hard stop that once I've come to the stop and let up on the break pedal I hear a thump in my trunk or maybe more precisely it is coming possibly from under the car in the suspension. Has anyone ever had this happen to them and what is the solution ?

Thanks a bunch

John

Hey everybody who responded to me thank you ever so much Bad Merc, Blackmobile, FordNut, Mr. Man, Silver Phoenix and 69Postss for your suggestions. I will share this with my mechanic who also has two other customers with Marauders.

John

[Comin' in Hot]

My very experienced guess would be that your rear control arm bushings are shot, especially in the upper passenger side arm... I've seen this multiple times and due to the age of the car and the miles I guarantee they are shot. If for some reason your mechanics cant figure it out, private message me, I'm near Allentown, PA.

[mustangeddie]

My very experienced guess would be that your rear control arm bushings are shot, especially in the upper passenger side arm... I've seen this multiple times and due to the age of the car and the miles I guarantee they are shot.

I agree with this especially a car that spent it's entire life in the NE. Things tend to get very rusty & rubber deteriorates more on cars from the area.

[justgod]

Bury the body before it starts to stink?

[Ken]

Bury the body before it starts to stink?

Did he forget about his Trunk Monkey?

https://youtu.be/8avOiTUcD4Y

[04MRADR]

Problem has been solved ! Wish to thank everyone for your suggestions. First, the parking brake shoe was really worn. My mechanic showed me the two rear wheels where this part is and I have to say I was surprised how worn they were when compared to brand new ones. I shared your suggestions with him and as we walked under the car we found the bushings were pretty well worn in the rear but one of the front ones (left front tire) was showing wear as well. In fact there was "give" in the left front tire when my mechanic could stick a tire iron in the area and make it move. I was also replacing the front tires but when I did that he said hold off on the alignment for a few days until he could get to problems causing the thump. He replaced the front lower control arm bushings, rear upper suspension control arms on both sides which he showed me when he removed and the bushings were well worn. He then did the alignment and everything with the Thump in the Trunk went away, the car is much tighter, the car also rolls dramatically longer when I lift up on the gas and coast. The ride is also noticeably smoother. Very happy with the outcome and thanks again everyone. The Forum identified all the potential problems which my mechanic confirmed and made your suggested repairs.