Just recently I began to hear creaking noises which sound like they're coming from the rear passenger side ('97, 2.5L). Once in awhile I'll hear a minor creaking/clunking noise while driving, sometimes when I hit a bump and other times not, but when I go into and out of my driveway (up or down the sidewalk ramp) the creaking noise is quite loud and the faster I'm moving the louder the noise is. I also can't seem to replicate the noise by pushing on the car; it only happens while driving.

I took off the rear wheels and basically shook each part of the rear suspension to see if anything was loose. Everything seemed tight except for the stabilizer bar which felt loose at both ends (where the stabilizer link/ball joints are). Is the bar supposed to be loose at either end or could this be the cause of the noise? I also suspected the struts, however, I replaced the struts 2 or 3 years ago (~20,000 km or so) so I'm guessing they would be fine.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

check the bushings on the bar , also the isolator /bushings on the top of the struts