Just purchased a 1997 V90 in really nice shape with 147,000km. It had some rattles in the rear end which I thought might be because it had the wrong rear muffler which was tied up with wire. The exhaust needed to be replaced from the cat back so I hoped the noise would be gone. No such luck. Suspension components seem to be tight, no worn bushings or anything like that.
A technician friend suggested it might be a shock problem but there are no leaks and no bounce. What would cause the rattle? Any ideas?

OK....is my face red! I was so tied up with chasing a rattle in the rear that that was all I could hear. The rattle wasn't in the rear....it was the front sway bar links that had just been replaced and not properly tightened. I guess that's why I'm a parts man and not a technician. I swear that sound was coming from the rear. Problem fixed, no more rattle. Tight as a drum now.

How is the spare tire, loose in it's mount? Anything else rattling around in that tire well?
Another thing to check is the trans mount, it can get really sloppy, but usually you will notice a vibration upon acceleration from a stop.

DanR '94 964 387,000 miles (153,000 on the new engine)
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DanR

A broken shock mount sounds like someone tapping on the floor when you go over bumps.