So I`ve got this rattle that sounds like the spare tire isn`t bolted down. Problem is, the spare and jack aren`t even in the car. Nothing in the trunk at all. New rear shocks and mounts and nothing obvious, but when I hit a bump it rattles pretty good. Any ideas where to look next??

Your tow links are likely the problem, they can rattle pretty bad when theyou start to wear out.

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Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Though a "Rattle in the Rear" is usually caused from "Junk in the Trunk" (LOL), I would check to see if while installing the shocks, you may have knocked off one of those rubber bands that holds the exhaust in place.

Definitely not the exhaust. Are the tow links the pieces that look like tie rod ends?

I am guessing rear shock mounts. About $20 each and easily to install.

While similar, the sound shock/shock mounts make are a little different than the lateral links. The links make a hollow-ish, louder sound.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

Yes. I have had them go bad and rattle on two cars now and it definitely will throw you off, the noise will sound like it is in the trunk or a shock, you hear it worst over small frequent bumps like on a dirt road with the chatter bumps or a road full of patches but they will rattle over any bump. Inspect the boots to see if they are ripped, that is a dead giveaway but also they can go bad with the boot still being good. They are sort of a pain to check as they are under stress depending on where the suspension is sitting, any play you find in them is bad.

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

Brand new as stated in my first post.

What is the best way to unload the tow links to check them?

To be honest you may have to try lifting the car up from different points on the control arm or body to lift or lower the control arm to get to that point. My first experience with them going bad was on my '03 SSEi, they rattled so bad I was embarrassed to drive it! I checked everything and couldn't determine what the noise was coming from until the toe link actually popped off the ball. The noise went away then and the car was still fairly stable but did feel a little loose in the rear end. At that point I checked the other side and found the boot was loose and knew the source of the rattle. Sorry I can't be more specific.

_________________
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one