Weird clunking noise from the rear of the car. When you hit bumps of course. I hav ereplaced both rear shocks and the rubber mounts on the exhaust. My trunk is empty. Any thoughts?

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

vwbuge, would suggest you check 1/2 shafts and differential.
Is your clunking sound constant on/off throttle?
oh, and how many miles on your SD?

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Hi vwbuge

Check your rear swaybar links. It is known to give similar wierd symptoms. Mine had that kind of a noise for past few weeks and I went underneath the car and checked the sway bar links( they are plastic links but with dirt and gunk, it may look like they are metal). Any way they were in bad shape. I am planning to replace them ( I already have the parts) its very easy to replace parts are about 12 bucks at dealers and 8+ bucks at Fastlane.
I will let you know what happens once I change them. While at it also check the condition of rear sway bar and bushing. If you are in doubt about the links change them anyway at 20 bucks total, it will make the problem solving equation simpler.
Do a search on broken sway bar link. I think 4 weeks back I saw someone very happy to replace it and solving the unkown noise mystery. Good luck. I am planning to replace them next Tuesday or so.

OK here is the thread i was talking about.
Rear end clunk

MVK

__________________
One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

VWbuge,
Can you be more specific about the noise? Mine has some strange thing that sounds like a creaking. Or, if you prefer, the sound of large boulders gently knocking into each other. It does not sound metalic, and I find it is just as loud with the windows open as closed (thus inside?). Of course, its only on bumps.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

My noise is kind of like an exhaust clunk but not so metal tinny sounding. The sway bar link sounds like it might be it. Taking a corner quiets one side or the other. I have 288,000 miles.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I had similar noises coming from the passengers side rear. I replaced the sway bar links. the odd part was that the really bad link was on the drivers side. Thanks to all of you for steering me in the right direction. My 300D Turbo has 260,00 mi. and goes strong.

I've had both bad axle shafts and bad sway bar links.

Sway bar links clunk when you hit a bump or pothole.

Axle shafts tend to click/clunk when you swing around a sharp low-speed turn. When they really get dry and bad, they start sticking which throws the hub up and down and shakes like a flat tire. They don't seem to loudly respond to bumps/potholes in my experience.

Ken300D

that was it. Put the sway bar links in and that solved the "clunking noise" I love to drive my car again!!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Changed my sway bar links and all wierd rear end clunks and noises gone. Car handles well too on rear end.
YTotal cost 17 bucks plus 30 minute of labor.

MVK

__________________
One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles