Hello all, recently bought a lovely 1996 850 GLT non Turbo w/ 90,000K. I notice while driving in lower speeds over pot holes (but curiously I don't hear it over speed bumps?) that I hear a light clunking/slight metallic clang sound coming from the rear area. I checked the spare tire to make sure it was secure, and my Volvo mechanic said he saw no problems other than a yellow bumper cushion that had come loose and was stuck inside the rear shock coil. We clamped it back up, but the sound persists. Other than the sound my drivability is good, handling is tight and I have no other issues. What should I be looking for? Are there any good images that anyone has or can direct me to as to what a damaged or broken rear suspension looks like? Could my trunk area itself just be loose or something? Has anyone else ever experienced this?--Sorry for the long post:)--Lauren (total tomboy so give me the downlow!)

It sounds like the trailing arm .
Stand in front of the rear tires and put your hands on the tire at the 10 oclock and 2 oclock position, try to move the tire back and forth from left to right. If the tire moves when you do this,it is the trailing arm

Drop the rear seat backs down and see if that helps you isolate the problem. Could be the gas tank? Does it sound different with the tank full? Some 850's do have an offical Volvo recall to get the gas tank mounting checked. Take it to a dealer and check if that's been done.

The top shock mounts (access from inside the trunk), might be loose.
pull the cover off and see if they have play. Could just need a couple of washers underneath them or the mount itself has come apart. start there and let us know what you find.

Thanks, I'll do that this weekend, hopefully the problem will be solved:)--Lauren

It could be a spring bump stop or shock mount that is worn and needs replacing. A speed bump lifts the entire rear of the car and does not place real stress on a single shock. Besides, a pot hole allows the shock to extend downward, where a bump pushes it up.
You could jack the car up with a good jack, not the one in the trunk, and remove a rear tire and give the spring a good throttling. It should rattle.

2 web sites to look at:
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/SpringBumpStop.php

and for parts:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850shocks.htm

Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

It could be a spring bump stop or shock mount that is worn and needs replacing. A speed bump lifts the entire rear of the car and does not place real stress on a single shock. Besides, a pot hole allows the shock to extend downward, where a bump pushes it up.
You could jack the car up with a good jack, not the one in the trunk, and remove a rear tire and give the spring a good throttling. It should rattle.

2 web sites to look at:
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/SpringBumpStop.php

and for parts:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850shocks.htm

Klaus
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

In response to your post Klaus: When I was at my mechanics we put it up on the big lift and the shocks were OK, as was the suspension...I'm getting totally annoyed with this noise as I cannot figure what the heck it is. Just to give another description of the noise: I grew up in Boston, there were always taxis, for some reason taxi's make a very specific noise when the drive up the pot-hole riddled streets in the Bean City: They all sound the same, this kind of rattling sound that comes from the rearend? I've taken every thing out of the trunk, still the noise sounds like it's coming from underneath in the rear wheel area..any other ideas?--Lauren

Check the rubber hangers for the exhaust pipe?
--
1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

OK, I'll check...thanks for the input!--L