I have a heckuva rattle at the right rear of my 1996 850 wagon. Don't hear it at highway speed, or much at 30 mph either. Mostly going over very bumpy roads from 2 mph to 15 mph. Sounds like something a little heavier than a muffler banging against the undercarriage.

I did just replace the muffler, but it is supported at all the normal places, and when I get under the car and shake it x, y, z, it's hard to make it even touch anything, let alone bang.

With the car up on all fours, I can't make the spring or shock move a millimeter by hand. With the wheel off the ground, I put a crowbar under it with a 4" fulcrum. Lifting the wheel sharply does elicit a mild knocking sound, but nothing like the banging I get on the road.

I suppose I have a bad shock? I just started noticing this about a week ago. I have studied the Haynes manual and searched on BB and my best guess is a failed shock, but when I bounce the right rear (with my full weight on the bumper, then weight off) the bounce appears to be very well dampened (only bounces once).

Anybody care to hazard any guesses?? Maybe I just have to pull the shock out and try a new one?

Just checked the prices on used Volvos around here and while I don't like the notion of pulling a shock, I just reread the Haynes procedure and it doesn't look so bad! At least I don't need a spring compressor.