I recently purchased a '83 Volvo 240 DL Cpe, 4 spd w/ OD. Overall in mechanically sound shape. It has a few problems and I have been a VW guy my whole life and I do not know where to start with this car.
Btw, Volvos are very well engineered cars from what I can see.

Problem 1: Popping from the rear when moving from a stop. The guy I bought it from said something about the "dogbones".....does that ring a bell? I am more apt to believe it is in the shocks or the trailing arm bushing, but who knows right? Just let me know how I can trace this noise.

I checked the reaction rods and they both seemed fine, but I don't know what I am looking for really.

Problem 2: Very faint in-and-out hum from the engine when it is first started up. I do not notice it after it is warm.

Please help so I can get Volvo straightened out. I keep bragging about what a solid car it is but my co-workers laugh when it pops as I drive away from the office.