Dear Tom and Ray:

After having shocks and struts replaced on my 85 Volvo, my car has a rattle in the left rear when I go over bumps. After taking the car back twice and being told nothing was wrong, I took it back a third time and was told it's the bushings. Does this sound reasonable to you? Pauline

Tom: It sounds more than reasonable, Pauline. It sounds likely. My brother has made many-a-boat-payment courtesy of Volvo bushing replacements.

Ray: In the rear end of this car, there are two sets of "trailer arm bushings," and two sets of "track rod bushings." And when either one of them goes, you get a "buh-da-bum, buh-da-bum" sound when you go over bumps. And they go all the time.

Tom: So bushings are a safe bet in this case, Pauline. Look in the yellow pages for Bobka the Bushing Baron, and tell him we sent you.

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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