Rear- end clunking..?

[Destructo1]

Ive been having some rear end clunking for a while now... not sure what its from.. the sway bar links and shocks are new, so any thoughts of what else it could be? its not loud by any means, but definitely noticeable, and annoying! only when i hit decent sized bumps. (2001 LE, if that makes some difference?) thanks guys!

[Pwnin O'Brien]

This kinda goes without saying, but have you checked the spare tire and chain?

[Destructo1]

This kinda goes without saying,

but have you checked the spare tire and chain?

yeah i have. i actually took the spare off, sanded it down, painted it black a couple months back. i then lubed the chain and fixed the blocks so they fit correctly to secure the rim (they were laying inside the tire when i took it off). i checked those again and its not that. Could the rear sway bar links be too tight? I had a mechanic do those because i didnt know what was wrong at the time.. I replaced the fronts myself and they dont make any noise..

[exvin]

I have the same problem with my 2000 pathy and I cannot locate where that clunking is coming from.

I wonder if its the bushings?

[Pathfound49]

On my '03 Pathfinder, I found that the tailpipe hanger, the metal piece welded on to the pipe just behind the muffler, was rubbing against the trunk pan. It was more like a squeak than a clunk.

[fernandoh]

In my 2003 (4WD) a noise (clunk) was related with the U joints at the "propeller" shaft. This is meaning that the up/down movements of the rear axle were not dumpered by the rear U joint, which may have only a small side to side movement. Some few guys tested the U joints and found them tight and OK, but when you hit a bump with engine torque being applied (even without the gas pedal) a noise was produced. I discovered the origin of that clunk hitting the same bump/same speed but in neutral and the car produced no sound at all (so it wasn't the suspenssion items). The braking action was also related with the noise. When the car was about to complete stop you can notice the clunk. In my idea the clunk is when the rear axle changes its relative position with the propeller shaft. I replaced the U joints and cured the problem, at least until today (no Nissan spares anyway), but after some 2000 km the sound is now present again but in a very minor scale. The U joints have Nissan spare clips in different thickness sizes as a way to regulate the U joint movement but I can`t find them here (free play is only of 0,1 mm). Put the truck in neutral and try the bump you choose and see what changes if you do it in gear again.

[iPath]

This kinda goes without saying, but have you checked the spare tire and chain?

speaking of chain.. under my pathy there is a chain just hanging down coming from the center of the spare tire.. is it supposed to be connected somewhere?

[Destructo1]

it is definitely something suspension related... I did the "neutral test" and rode over bumps, it did the same thing.. idk i suppose i will have to deal. i always forget how old my vehicle actually is hahaha

[Pwnin O'Brien]

This kinda goes without saying, but have you checked the spare tire and chain?

speaking of chain.. under my pathy there is a chain just hanging down coming from the center of the spare tire.. is it supposed to be connected somewhere?

The chain is what holds the spare tire securely to the bottom of your vehicle. The chain you see hanging down is just excess that was never removed. I recommend tucking the chain up into the spare tire rim so it doesn't hang down.