I've been hearing a light clunking from the rear as I go over some bumps on the way home from work at a certain speed. It'* not a huge obvious clunk, but I know my car and I hear it.

So I jacked up the rear lower control arm on each side and started shaking the tires. Sure enough, there'* a bit of movement when I shake the tire from the top and bottom (not side to side). Normally you'd just say balljoint, right? But something about it feels wrong, like it'* piviting on the ball joint and moving at the top instead. I'm not sure about this, it'* just a feeling. It could well be moving at the ball joint, it just doesn't feel like it.

So am I nuts? Is it always the ball joint when there'* movement like I feel? If not, any way to know for sure? I'd just hate to replace the ball joints only to have it be the struts, or vice-versa.

It could be your upper strut mount.

Like it'* loose, or worn...? What exactly would I be looking for, just see if it'* tight from inside the trunk?

Yup.

Oh, well that'* simple enough to check. I'll have to see about doing that tomorrow before work. I'll let you know what I find.

Nope, those were tight... well, tight enough. I could turn them just a bit with a 3/8" ratchet, but they weren't going anywhere. So knowing that, any more thoughts?

Jack up the back ..with the tire a few inches off the ground..use a pry bar (big one) to pry up under the tire. Putting pressure on the tire from below..any movement and noise?

I'll give that a try. I don't have a bar, but I do have a pipe. Should I jack from the body or lower control arm for that?

body or frame...so the control arm his hanging