Hi Guys,

I was out today and the car was relatively heavily laden (6 people in the car and some stuff in the trunk). We were driving along and on a few occasions there was a really loud metallic BANG coming from the rear end. On one occasion somthing sounded like a smallish, heavyish part broke loose and rattled on the inside of the car (I thought it was in the rocker panel)
I thought it was when we went over small dips/bumps but others in the car seem to disagree.
It may have been grounding but I am really not convinced, it didn't sound like grounding.

A look under the car and everything seems fine, no broken suspension mounts, springs all look ok etc. It was a really unhealthy sound.

Any ideas what this could be, or any areas to check? Are there points that the rear end could hit if the suspension travelled too far or anything similar?

The car is a 1960 Plymouth Belvedere (fullsize). It has the unibody construction.

Any and all help appreciated.
Thanks alot,
60Ply

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

I had the same thing happen on my car once I never figured out what it was- I did the same thing you did, checked underneath and saw no signs of any harm.
It only happened that once (fingers crossed)so I just forgot about it
Possibly built up pressure/friction release on the leaf springs or a bushing crack?
But I dunno its still a mystery.

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<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2992308402_5481afb26e_t.jpg">

Probably nothing more or less than just bottoming-out on the suspension stops, which might or might not still be present. Originally they were blocks of rubber to prevent metal-to-metal contact in just the situation you describe, but over the years the rubber deteriorates and/or falls apart. There's a stop at each corner, IIRC, and one on the pinion snubber plate bolted atop the nose of the diff.

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