There's an annoying rattle coming from the right rear of the car, I only hear it if the back passenger window is open, but it sounds like a tambourine. After a round trip from Portland to the Bay Area, the rattle developed into a clunking sound when hitting a bump or rough section of road. Taking off the wheel, I see that shock absorber is leaking. Could that be the source of a rattle and/or clunk? I don't see or feel anything else loose.

I'd replaced the upper shock mount when I got the car a couple of years ago, but that still seems firm. On the other hand, there's a lot of rubber "dust" around it. I'm not sure if that's new or it just didn't get cleaned up from before.

There was a rattle in the front, too, but that turned out to be the hose clamp I couldn't find after doing the valve stem seals last winter ;-)

Anyone have strong feelings about brands of shock absorbers (silly question)? I'll probably order either the Sachs or Bilstein "Touring Class" from IPD.

Many thanks,
--Bud


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'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon