My father-in-law's 240 has begun making a new noise. When he hits the gas pedal there is a thump thump thump from beneath. What do you think? U-Joints, rear transmission mount, or worn tail shaft bushing?

Thanks Oh wise ones of many scraped knuckles.

My '89 "junkyard special" 244 is doing the same thing...I've checked the motor mounts and they are ok...the trans mount is toast for sure and possibly the bushing as well...leaks trans fluid from somewhere...

I really need to get to that...slow off line acelerations for now tho...

Still can't make up my mind
Keep driving it
Junk it
Fix it up nice????

Bret
--
rust free in west Texas

From limited info....I'd check out the drive shaft center bearing. Crawl under (support car on jack stands/ car ramps), grab drive shaft (motor not running !!!), and see if you can move the drive shaft around, up, down and around...look at rubber around center bearing. If all is well, then grap hold of fron and rear drive shaft ( motor not running !!!) .and see if you can twist them in opposite directions...if so, "U" joints.

Then again it just may be the tail pipe thumping against the frame/ axle. My 89, started doing that after I towed a heavy load...need to upgrade my rear springs.


--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in rehab; 89, 245 DL, 269K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

... what is the frequency of the thump?
... does it ever go away? if so, under what conditions? i.e. when you let up on the gas, or coast.
... does it thump in reverse?
stuff like that.