Hello everyone! I'm new here desperate for help. I've owned my 2009 Mazda 3(just rolled over 100K tonight) for about two years now and have had this rattling clanging noise coming from the rear end since I've had the car. I've taken it to two different auto shops which both gave me the unprovoked answer of "it's coming from the rear brakes." Well today I replaced the rear brakes, rotors, and hardware with all brand new equipment and ceramic pads. The noise is still there to my despair. I haven't taken any of the suspension apart yet, but visually everything is okay.

Background on the noise: clanging, metal on metal. If I had to describe what it sounds like I'd say it's similar to metal washers on a metal rod being jarred up/down when going over bumps and uneven ground. On the highway it does not happen. It's not terribly loud but extremely irritating. You can hear it from inside and out of the car. Tonight I removed everything out of the trunk including spare tire and jack and The noise is still there.

I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions anyone has on this topic.
Thank you in advance!

 

Do a full spanner check on the rear suspension & subframe. Pay extra attention to the rear swaybar links.