Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Rattle

I had the same noise last year, it sounded like something was loose and bounceing around in the trunk, I had the rear sway links/bushings replaced and the sound is gone! I think it cost about $70. Also my license plate was bolted on by my dealer and he used the 2 mounts on the bottom of the plate and I found this also caused a slight rattle over bumps mounted the top 2 and that also has silenced.

Well!!! I had the recall done on the fuel flapper!!!! Boy oh Boy!!!! I filled the tank the next day on my way to work and sure enough the gas poured out of the gas tank. I took car back to ford and they said that the flapper was not done properly.. Well, they said that a clamp or something was not tightened enough (from recall). I think that its fixed, but I have not filled up yet! As for the thumping noise from the rear and rattle.... The ford dealer says that the links in the front are loose and that might be causing the noise in the back. """I TOLD THEM TO GET OFF THE CRACK!""" They were just going to fix the problem and bill me. "They were loose they said and sometimes sound travels they said!!! Anyways I asked them if they knew of any TSB's for this problem and they said that they never had a contique with this problem. Anyways, they did check the back end and nothing seemed loose. They did say the brace or plate for strut could be loose. Anybody with this problem. """"I LOVE MY CAR, BUT ITS GETTING HARD TO LOVE FORD""""" They are clueless!!!

Success! My mechanic replaced the sway bar links (which contain the bushings) and the rattle in the rear has completely disappeared. Now my passengers no longer ask me why I dont remove the metal garbage can crashing around in the trunk. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Were they loose and noticeable or did they just guess right? Mine are not loose at the back (links) but I have the same problem. Thanks in advance!

I think they just guessed right with some suggestions I picked up from this site. The sound was so distinct(loose rattle)that they knew it was not the suspension. When they got the links off the car, the poor condition of the bushings was very apparent. I dont know what they can tell while the links are still on the car.

Crank....my links were tight with zero play.
When I removed them, it was plain to see that the bushings were shot. It is a pretty easy fix. Time consuming though if all the nuts and bolts are gummed up from grit/grime/salt like mine were.

Links are about $17 each.

Thanks Bryan and Mark!!!! (sorry I forgot ya!)

I am now convinced that this is the problem and will get the garage to replace them for me! I just did not want Ford to guess on my dollar and they said the the front links are loose and the sound MIGHT just be carrying from the front links! "Ya right"