It is not uncommon to have the muffler end hit the body when the engine
rocks too much.  Sometimes when you start the engine or when you hit a good
bump.  There could be faulty, weak engine mountings that let this happen, or
just the muffler was installed such a way that it's too near to the body.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richards, Andrew" <Andrew.Richards@NIKE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 9:19 AM
Subject: knocking noise from rear

My '87 GL (155K) has a rather annoying knocking noise from the rear end
when driving over bumps in the road.  I tend to think it's something
knocking against the frame because it's a pretty solid sound.  Maybe
it's a bad motor mount?  I haven't inspected the mounts yet, but I know
my CV's don't have any play in them and their boots are all good.  My
muffler has some internal welds that are shot, causing some rattle, but
not to the same tone of the knocking I'm hearing.  Shocks are less than
a year old.  My mechanic has looked it over and found nothing, but I'm
not convinced.  A van shouldn't make this noise.  Are there any other
possible culprits?

Thanks,

Andrew

Portland, OR

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