Ok,ok I give up. I need to ask the Volvo Gods for some advise. I have a low speed clunk, bang from the rear axle area of my '87 240 wagon (105k original miles!!!). I have replace all (yes all) the rear axle bushings (the big lower ones, the torque rods, the trailing rods, the pandhard rods, everyone). I have also replaced the rear springs and the spring insulators. Just about everything except the axle. All the other driveline components look fine and have no signs of any distress.

I still have a low speed bump/bang/clunk when going oner even the slightest of bumps. The noise does disappear at speed which leads me to think that there couls be something associated with the load placed on the axle at higher speeds.

Anyone have a idea??

One more thing, when I back out of the garage in the morning and stop to go forward, there is a small bang/clang from the rear axle area. Nothing like the usual noise but there anyway.

Banging and clanging in soggy Oregon.

My first check (easy) is the spare tire. There should be an elastic strap holding the tire tight against the rear fender wall. The jack and tools should be placed in the same compartment in such a way as not to move or become dislodged during driving.

Second, -the exhaust. The previous posts have covered this pretty well.

Third, -the rear seat mounts. The Torx screws worked their way loose in my Wagon seat and the latches that secured the seatback in its 'upright' position became loose and started to "bang" when I crossed over speedbumps.

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 245, NA 214K

Check the tail pipe, it could be bent and banging the underside of the bumper. I had this happen to me, I thought it was the axle too. I heard the noise over bumps and during acceleration. I don't know how the tail pipe got bent in the first place, but it did. I couldn't see the bent tail pipe when looking at it parked. So I played a hunch..... The local muffler shop fixed it, no charge and
No noise!
Good luck.

Maya "89" 245 DL 113K
"98" V70 GLT 70K

Go Cubs!

Seconding michael's comment, I suggest you check your exhaust system hangers, and even your engine and tranny mounts. Some exhaust systems have less clearance from the axle and gas tank than others.

Check to make sure that your exhaust pipe is not the cuprit....hitting the axle upon small bumps, speed bumps...could be...mine was hitting upon shifting between R and D.

My 87 does it over speed bumps etc