There's a metal plate on each rear strut, which fits above a matching metal plate on the rear subframe. I suppose these plates are supposed to keep the car from completely bottoming out. Normally, there should be maybe 2-4 inches of clearance between the plates. My struts were so worn out that the wheels were hopping wildly, and the metal plates were banging against each other. I suppose that was what was making the noise on both of my cars.

95 Contour Zetec, ATX (wrecked, sitting in the barn) 95 Mystique Zetec, MTX 2000 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec 1994 Crown Victoria LX 4.6 V8 1993 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V6