For a few months now I've been experiencing a clunking sound coming from the rear of my 1992 240. I read that it could likely be due to old bushings so I went ahead and replaced the entire rear suspension bushings with new polyurethane ones.

After getting them all in I took a drive and the clunking sound is now worse than before. Any idea what could be causing this? The clunking occurs seemingly when the car is moving at slower speeds down any type of road. not just bumpy ones. I checked the shocks and I was able to compress them with my hand but could that be the issue?

Just wondering what else could be causing this so I can take a look and diagnose this. Thank you!

 

Ujoints? Something loose in the spare tire thing?

 

didn't forget anyone in the trunk did you?

all the play in various driveline parts can stack up and make it uncomfortable when going slow as its switching from accelerating to decellerating causing the torque to keep reversing between the two. to see it jack up a back wheel rotate left and right. splined shafts, play in axle, ujoints it all adds together.

check for loose lugs shake the wheels around to feel bearings.

i just found a completely stripped lug sitting in my hubcap. the others torqued to infinity. it sort of wedged itself or would have made noise only at low speeds.
Those.tire changers with air wrenches are often uncaring idjits
ive heard of pranks , people putting pebbles in people's hubcaps intentionally too.

ujoints often fail and cause noise. dont overlook the possibility of a loose wheel.
i doubt it's the shocks. unless one is loose
i had some issues like that with my !22 rebuilt rear axle all new bearings,crown and pinion made slow driving more comfortable. if your foot is on the gas the play isn't significant but it is in slow traffic. the rear axle moving around is related, poly bushings may not dampen noise as well but maybe a bit stiffer ride is more "sporty"

muffler system hitting anywhere?