Rear suspension noise

[weezer]

Happy new year to all...... hope the holidays treated all of you well.
i'm wondering if anyone here can tell me if they've ever experienced rattling, almost a drumming and creaking noise coming from the rear (driver side). Mine appeared a week ago and it happens everytime I accelerate and in the middle of cruising. I've tried to check if it's the shock by bouncing the rear end up and down. I suspect the control arms bushing or the shock mount.
Any ideas might help. I'm hoping it's not the CV Joint.

Thanks

[cali-ti]

my suggestion:

1) remove rear seat (just pull up on the front) and hatch cover from the car
2) have somebody sit in the back and try to determine more specifically where the sound is coming from while you drive around

important things will be:

1) where does the sound come from (drivers, center, passengers)?
2) what type of noises are heard?
3) does the noise change when you're accelerating, let off the gas (and HOW does it change)?
4) does the sound change when turning (which direction)?

the source of the noise can be deceiving, especially when you're driving so that's why i suggest another set of ears. there's probably a bunch of things it could be ...

rear subframe bushings
rear trailing arm bushings
rear wheel bearings
upper shock mounts
diff
CVs

might as well pull back the carpet in the hatch wheel well areas and check your upper shock mounts too.

[weezer]

Cali-ti,

Thanks for the suggestions. I did have a friend sit in back to ascertain location and types of noise; it is more of a deep creaking noise and coming from the driver side rear. I suspected that it was a loose shock mount or lower control arms bushings or ball joints. I also have a very twitchy/loose driver side back end every time i hit a bump or pot hole. The car will twitch to the left. First I thought it was the tyre and rotated the front to the rear, the problem persisted eventhough not as bad.
I just upgraded the shocks earlier this summer. I will try to see if tightening the shock mouns will help.
If you have anymore ideas it wold be much appreciated.

Thanks again.