I bought a 240 D 1982 for 500.00 engine runs good, had to put shocks and tires on it.Body is inexcellent condition, leather is good,
It is making a bumping noise in the rear, doesn't happen all the time, but when it really starts it is loud. The first time I got out of the car to see if the muffler fell off. Someone said it might be the axle. I got a price of 700.00 to replace both axles, but the mechanic said he wasn't 100 percent sure that was the problem. I hate to spend that much money for a guess. and also, am I safe in investing up to 2500-3000 in this car? has 228,000. miles
any help advice would be appreciated. I bought it for my twin 17 year olds, but I have been driving it. I am getting attached!

 

The initial obvious item would be shocks, but you have had them replaced. However, one of them could be hitting an exhaust pipe, or item. Recommend you have a friend you can trust, or that can trust you, to ride in rear seat and repeatly drive over area that causes noise to locate area and pitch (frequency of sound). Also note any unusual body/suspension flexs that are necessary to make noise occur. That should give you area to look. However, the twin 17 YOs should punish vehicle in short timespan and location soon be known.
Tom

 

Thanks,
I will get my shocks checked to make sure they were installed correctly. Twins would definately locate the source after I picked them up off the side of the road. This is a neat little car and though I have a 2005 Malibu, I would rather they drive it.. go figure.

 

2nd thoughts

While having someone look at the underside of your vehicle, have them look at the rubber "bisquits" that hold the exhaust system to the body shell. One could be broken allowing misalignment, and subsequently impacting with something.

 

it could be your half axles. Have someone crawl underneath the rear end and yank the axle back and forth. Its there's lots of play then that's your problem.

 

Lots of play on right side axle but wouldn't this cause problems all the time?

 

Mine bumps in the rear also, I assume its the exhaust rubber mounts no longer holding the system up or the shocks are worn out. I didn't know that there was a "play" measurement in the rear axle assembly.
Jeff