I have volvo 2000 s40 and have loose noise when i ride over un-even roads and belive it is coming from brake drum. A year ago, i changed both break drums and shoe using after market parts since then i have this trouble. My mechanic was not able to figureout trouble and recommended to replace both breaks with volvo parts. I want to make sure he is correct before spending another $1k.

 

check your suspension bushings. Drums/rotors/pads are no where near $1k, try rockauto,com for parts

 

There are several known problem areas with clunking over bumps. The anti-sway bar bushings can break causing the anti-sway bar to hit the frame over bumps. You have to remove the wheel and follow the anti-sway bar as it goes up under the frame. If broken the anti-sway bar lifts off the frame with the weight off the wheels. It should be held close by the bushing at all times.

Also, the rubber strut mounts wear out causing the struts to move around. Look at the top of the strut as it sticks out of the strut tower. The center threaded part with the nut should be in the middle of the hole in the strut tower. When the rubber mount fails the strut moves around and makes noise.

A 3rd possibility is worn motor mounts. On my 2001 this resulted in vibration with the car in gear, stopped, with your foot on the brake pedal. The 2000 has slightly different motor mounts than the 2001+ models though.