97 850R wagon rear clunk and bump stop

[pappatho]

If I shake the exhaust enough I can get it to hit the frame above it. If I remember right that was just up stream of the heat shield shown below. The rubber on the spring was already there. I don't know if that was an attempt by somebody else to solve this issue or something else. The clunk has been present since I bought the wagon about a month ago.

Here is what the bump stop looks like. Since the retainer is still there does that indicate I need a new bump stop and retainer since the bump stop apparently pulled off the retainer, or do I just need to break out the old retainer and reassemble with a new one?


Also, I am assuming these front strut mounts should look like this, but wanted to make sure.



I was told the car has delrin subframe bushings.

Finally, I am not sure my car ever comes up to the correct rear ride height with the Nivomats in the rear.

[erikv11]

On the rear clunk, pull the board in back that covers the shock mounts, and look at them. One may be broken.

Bump stop is probably hollowed out (broken) but manipulate it around in there, get a look at it from the bottom.

Front strut looks fine but you can't tell too much from that view. Put a wrench on that top nut, does it rotate (bad) or do you meet resistance (good)?

For the delrin subframe bushings you may be able to tell by looking at them, snap a pic.

[Ozark Lee]

On the bump stop you can just break the old rivet with a chisel and install a new stop and rivet. That is an odd failure mode since usually the bump stop has pretty much turned to dust before it falls off. Yours actually looks pretty good but the rattling around in the spring will drive you nuts.

...Lee

[pappatho]

On the rear clunk, pull the board in back that covers the shock mounts, and look at them. One may be broken.

I looked at the rear shock mounts yesterday and they looked fine from what I could see.

If I turn the nut on the top of the front shock mounts it will turn with resistance and then spring back. I believe this is what it is supposed to do.

[erikv11]

Yeah, that sounds good on the fronts. So the sprig seats are not broken, that's good news.

On the rear clunk maybe Lee has a point, perhaps the bump stop is making the noise.