Rear suspension clunk

[Uplander]

Hi
I have a clunk coming from the nearside rear of my 1969 Volvo 1800S when I go over a bump. I know it's hard to identify noises by a description, but it is a hollow metallic sound not dissimilar to a loose exhaust or wheel. I've checked both and the rear springs. I've bounced, prised, levered and wobbled the car in that area but I'm unable to replicate it at standstill - it only happens when I'm driving. I'm guessing it may be the suspension bushes on the torque and/or support rods? Any further thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
Simon

[classicswede]

Axle arm bushes or damper bushes would be top of the suspect list.

[Uplander]

Ok thanks. And is this a fairly straightforward job to do at home - from what I can glean from the manual the various bushes on the rear are drifted in or pushed in so no hydraulic pressing required?

[Army]

Does it clunk (more) when you accelerate / decelerate?

I don't know your experience level but I think it is worth adding that you often need to apply a lot of force to suspension parts to get them to move especially when the vehicle is stationary with weight on ground

[Uplander]

Seems to happen more at slower speeds or I'm just more aware of it - but is that because going faster 'irons out' the ride a bit ?

[Uplander]

To answer your question properly, no it doesn't seem to be affected by either acceleration or deceleration.

[CLIVERALLY]

As Dai said...the arm bushes But check the propshaft uj's .

[jpws]

If the clunk only appears when going over speed bumps, have you checked the bit of the exhaust that runs over the rear axle. At least in an Amazon (I don't know about P1800) there is a small rubber stopper underneath the floor plan for the exhaust pipe to bounce against. Also, if the exhaust pipe isn't fitted exactly right, the rear axle and exhaust pipe may clunk together. Using some cable ties to tighten the rubbers that hold the exhaust pipe in place, or replacing them may fix it; or (as I ended up doing) is replacing the entire exhaust system and getting it fitted properly.

[moooper]

That sounds like the exhaust hitting off something like the panhard bar. I get the same thing sometimes depending on the road/speed bump. My exhaust is fitted really really bad

[Army]

Originally Posted by Uplander

To answer your question properly, no it doesn't seem to be affected by either acceleration or deceleration.

If it is not "power on power off" related then it is unlikely to be the drive line

It sounds like you are not lifting the car from the ground when checking bushings - wheels dangling does give an unnatural suspension position but it does enable you to check things with less force and in such a way that you can get up close and personal with the bushings / joints.

If you don't fancy crawling about in the dirt DIY garages seem to have sprung up here and there in the last twenty years or so. You can rent a bit of lift time for reasonable dosh if you'd rather self diagnose instead of playing "decent mechanic roulette"