[DML] Re: Clunk (not TAB or axles)

["tmpintnl" <tobyp@xxxx>]

Peter - I commend you for this fantastic post. Nothing quite like 
gathering it all together for a better perspective. I was looking at 
photos of the rear suspension, and my eyes are drawn to the 
steel/rubber bushings that are pressed into each end of the 
upper and lower lateral links (De Dion links?). Has anybody with the 
dreaded clunk taken the time to remove the large bolts and carefully 
examine the condition of the bushings, and make sure that the bolts 
are straight and tight? If there was some play in the bushings from 
delaminated rubber or worn sleeves, or worn and/or loose bolts, the 
play could result in movement in the joint under cornering loads. I 
know that I have had "issues" with other bushings that were very worn 
and damaged, resulting in some interesting behavior. The bushings 
normally pressed into the shock absorber ends could also create some 
movement under load. I think that it might be worth a look. My car 
doesn't clunk at all, so it's not a good candidate for this 
inspection.

Toby Peterson VIN 2248
Winged1 - 'Clunkless' in Seattle. 

--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Peter Lucas <lucas@xxxx> wrote:
> I, too, have been plagued with rear-end clunks since the day I 
> test-drove #6703. It is by far the most annoying problem on my 
> vehicle--it really detracts from an otherwise amazingly pleasant 
driving experience ... 
<snip>