Volvo RWD 120-130 Forum

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clunk from rear end 120-130

When I put the clutch in I get a clunk from the rear of the car. I replaced all the universal joints but it made no difference. If I put the car up on a jack I cant find any thing loose in the drive. Where could this clunk be comming from these past 3 years??








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    clunk from rear end 120-130

    Rychard;

    "When I put the clutch in I get a clunk from the rear of the car" is not really enough info...but if are trying to convey that you are getting the clunk when going from engine loaded and driving drive train, to unloaded, or even deccelerating, with rear wheels driving the engine, you may want to confirm this...

    Clunks like this are difficult to locate under static conditions, but as others have posted, this is often caused by things external to diff...sloppy rearend bushings or ujoints...one more thing to check for is slop in drive shaft coupling splines...this can occur in high mileage cars, and will also show up as a clunk during accel to deccel transition...even at parking speeds...I've found that if this is the case, particulates in graphite grease, which don't get as easilly displaced as simple grease, can help to pad the slop...eventually, coupling needs replacement...

    Good Hunting








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    clunk from rear end 120-130

    To check the bushings....try backing up...coast a bit, (downhill is ideal) and then apply the brakes...if you get the clunk...it is likely a bushing. I have seen this problem even on bushings that look ok. You can try tightening the bolts that run through the bushings....
    Dean








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      clunk from rear end 120-130

      There are bolts at the tops of the struts in the trunk. These tightened easily, and after that - no more clunk, so it was the bushings.

      Thanks








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      clunk from rear end 120-130

      Thanks for all this information. Looking under the rear of the car I see a multitude of bushings, so i am not sure what is ment by "bushings" If it is those on the shocks, they are all cracked but solid. This clunk is at slow speeds, when I disengage the drive by pushing in the clutch, but also over small bumps in the road at slow speeds. When I jack up the car, everything is solid and there is no play in anything. Since I can't do this type of work myself, I am trying to locate somthing obvious, so I won't have to replace everything by trial and error.

      But thanks again for all the info, Rychard








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        clunk from rear end 120-130

        We'd all love to help, but need more information (see Ron's post) - what year is the car...it makes a differnce as the bushings on the rear axle change in '67.

        If you think about it, what you've described is a case where something is moving under load. When you release the clutch and apply torque to the drive train, something is moving. In order to get a clunk, things must be relaxed at rest and then when torque is applied, they shift as a result of the application of the force. Look at a loaded 18 wheeler moving from a stop light and note how the entire frame twists under torque.

        So, back to the problem. What could move? Clearly the engine and transmission is going to be twisting against the applied force. They are connected to the car via 3 rubber bushings (two on the engine up at the front of the cross member) and one on the transmission at the rear). Inspect them for wear, if they look like they are still inline that is a good sign. If they look like a stack of quarters that someone has pushed over...that is not a good sign.

        Try to wedge the engine up...if it moves, the mounts are shot. Replace them. If not, then keep moving back. Next up is the two (again year of car would help) small rubber bushings that connect the front drive shaft exiting the transmission to the rear shaft. If you look up, you'll notice that there are two pins attached to a plate that rotates on the end of the front shaft (just behind the big nut). If the pins are sitting in good rubber bushings, then that can't be what is making the clunk.

        We'll have to assume that you've had the slip joint (spline) checked when you changed the u-joints. Next up is things connected to the differential/rear axle. Start as I suggested, with the bushings. First up would be the torque rods. They are out by the wheels and connect/locate the axle to the car. Grab the rod (again, year matters here as the '67 is different) and give it a good shake. Any noise? Inspect the front and rear (removal is not that hard and well worth it in this case). Then check the locating link same procedure - do both sides.

        The panhard rod (goes diagonally from axle to body) can also be checked by the grab it and give it a good shake method. Nothing should make an audible noise or produce much movement (best done as well with weight on the wheels, not suspension in the air).

        That should get the bushings checked.

        Craig








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    clunk from rear end 120-130

    First I'd check the rear bushings, they can do that. If they are disintigrated replace, also check the transmission and engine mounts. Then I'd have a look at the differential for wear of the ring and pinion/bearings. Take the drive shaft off and see how far you can turn the pinion by hand with both wheels on the ground. Shouldn't be very far. My old rear had at least 1/16 of a turn and was very loud at times.







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