About a week ago, I got in my van and drove home after being at the grocery
store. When I'd been driving for about 5 minutes, an odd noise started
coming from the back end, mostly on the passenger side.

It's very hard to describe - kind of a clunking/grinding/rubbing noise with
a short high pitched squeak once in a while. It only starts after driving
for about 5 minutes and usually happens above 20 mph. Then, the faster you
go, the more intense it gets.

Last year, we replaced the passenger side axle, wheel bearings, CV joints
and all that.

The transmission seems to be shifting fine, no hard shifting or anything
(it's an automatic). The brakes seem fine and don't feel soft or hard or
spongy or like they're dragging or anything so I don't think it's brake or
transmission related.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what it might be? What should I be
looking for? Should I still be driving it?

I have looked under the van and there seems to be quite a bit of grease
towards the middle of the rear end. Where might that be coming from? Could
it be related to the sounds I'm hearing?

Also, when I turn a corner, the back end seems to "shift" - I don't know how
to describe it. Kinda like something feels loose.

A few days after this noise began, and I was looking things over back there,
I noticed a slight wrinkle in my rear bumper, just right of center along
with some green paint. It looks like a greenish colored vehicle must have
hit the van in the parking lot that day. I'm guessing perhaps this has
caused whatever is going on.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Thanks!

 *Annie* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom email: lsandrsn@gmail.com*
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