Check to make sure the rubber pads the exhaust is supposed to fit up against are still there. If not, it vibrates a bunch and will fatigue the rubber amazingly fast. Also causes considerable "road noise" that is actually the exhaust thumping around. Usually one at each hanger and one at the front or rear of the back muffler.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!