1997 Volvo 850 - two loud bangs...

[socompsp]

here is a thought. it could be that your cv axels have play. or some part of the front end does. you can check the front end easally, just jack one of the front wheels up so the tire isnt touching the ground, then try to wiggle the tire. do this for both sides. you can also check the cv axels by trying to turn the wheels back and forth and listen for said bang.

[xHeart]

The jack-hammer was more frequent this morning, there were some idling in N as well.

I am looking at ways to fasten pre-heat plate to exhaust manifold as a first step in finding the cure.

After thinking through, It is high-temp environment. The two bolts on the plate are 90mm (3.54") apart, and under the influence of PBlaster for past few days. I do not have the diameter measure of the manifold to get the right clamp, anyone out there has the diameter?

Here is one approach http://www.grainger.com/product/ANVIL-Pipe-Clamp-WP112849/_/N-bimZ1z0ygjn/Ntt-pipe?sst=All&s_pp=false.

A stainless steel U-Bolt muffler clamp of 3.5" (90mm) would be a straight shot, would it go around the manifold?

[xHeart]

The research at MVS points to JimBee's https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60494...

...then moving to this DIY by cn90 https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40032.
There goes my holiday savings.

[xHeart]

The jack-hammer said good-bye after the exhaust manifold was replaced over the weekend. There is a vast improvement in drive cycle, I am starting to hear few more variations of exhaust sound as the engine/speed goes up and down. A delightful repair for the holiday driving.

I am adding muffler portion to my to-do list.