Saturn L Series Sedans & Wagons L100, L200, L300, LW200, and LW300

Rearend Thumping

Old Jan 14, 2026 | 05:46 PM
  #1  
baddog2b's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 5
Question Rearend Thumping

LW300 2003 when I accelerate quickly I get a hard thump coming from the rear and slight slipage that feels like it coming from the driverside.Anyone ever had this problem and maybe know what it might be before I spend money on guessing?
 
Old Jan 14, 2026 | 11:09 PM
  #2  
02 LW300's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,229
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Default

If you live in the rust belt I would have an alignment shop check your rear suspension.
 
Old Jan 15, 2026 | 06:40 AM
  #3  
baddog2b's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 5
Thumbs up Rearend Thumping

Originally Posted by 02 LW300
If you live in the rust belt I would have an alignment shop check your rear suspension.
I don't and the reaction only happens when I give a quick peddle from standing still to slight movement forward.Also when I feel the thumping there seems to be a slight slippage like one wheel is turning and the other one on the drivers rear hesitates. This only happens from start or slow forward motion and not from quick acieration when moving faster like on the freeway. I'm taking it back to my mechanic today and have him ride with me so I can show him and have him hear and feel this.I will post afterwards if he can figure it out.. Thank you for your quick response.
 

Last edited by derf; Jan 16, 2026 at 07:29 AM.
Old Jan 15, 2026 | 11:13 PM
  #4  
02 LW300's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,229
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Default

Does your car have traction control, it is optional on an 03. Your car is front wheel drive so the rear is just along for the ride. My 02 LW300 will roast the right front tire if I turn the traction control off. 😀
 
Old Jan 16, 2026 | 05:44 AM
  #5  
baddog2b's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 5
Thumbs up

Thank you for your reply and like you said they are front wheel drive so I don't know and of course when I took it to the shop today I couldn't for the life of me get it to make that noise...lol Also this car has everything and really runs great so maybe someday i'll figureout what that noise is.
 
Old Jan 16, 2026 | 07:34 AM
  #6  
derf's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Default

I have eventually traced many a bizarre noise from the rear of my S cars to be (always my favorite) some random tool or object I put down under the spare tire cover board while checking the air pressure on the spare. Breaker bar, 19 mm socket, my favorite ratchet that's been MIA for 5 months.
Make sure you remove the actual spare while checking. Amazing what you can find....factory jack came off its holder
 
Old Mar 5, 2026 | 11:06 AM
  #7  
Thankumuch's Avatar
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 16
Default

I have the same issue. Thought it was rear strut bushings, but turns out to be trailing arm bushings (knuckles). Going to be replacing them soon, but special tools are required.
 
Old Mar 15, 2026 | 04:58 AM
  #8  
baddog2b's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 5
Default

Thank you so much for your important info. You were 100% right and my mechanic wasn't happy he missed them. One was completely rusted out on one side and the other was really worn. So again THANK YOU!
 
Old Mar 15, 2026 | 01:03 PM
  #9  
derf's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Default

Thank you for coming back and letting us know how you solved your issue.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
yosemisteve
Saturn L Series Sedans & Wagons
5
Jan 16, 2026 08:02 AM
MikeGlosta
Saturn L Series Sedans & Wagons
1
Jun 20, 2018 09:44 AM
cwcathe
Saturn Vue
2
Jun 23, 2016 12:34 PM
Tom Allen
Saturn L Series Sedans & Wagons
5
Mar 21, 2010 09:41 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:08 AM.