Ford Puma knocking noises

[Answerprancer]

I've already posted this on the Puma forum but more opinions would be appreciated (Albags?):
I just bought a 2000 Pum (1.7i) and everything goes ok but there is a dull knocking sound coming from underneath and near the back.
I thought it might be the slightly wonkily fitted back exhaust box but I've secured it and I'm pretty sure it isn't. I've also got on the back and gone hummana hummana a few times to see if it's the suspension rubbers and that doesn't seem to show anything up. What else could it be/how easy to fix ?
Cheers.

[AlBags]

Hiya ..
When do you get this knocking? Over light bumps? .. or hard rough stuff?
I think you should jack it up and take a good look at the subframe mounting bushes .. and the trailing arm bushes for perishing/wear. Early Pumas have a fork rear mounting, I thing .. later a rod eye. Have a look around there.
Also the rear shock mounts. It's also known that the dampers themselves can make odd knocking noises from the piston shaft .. there is no alternative to take them off to check, really.

[Answerprancer]

Yikes, lots to check then ! The noises do seem to appear mostly over light bumps rather than hard rough stuff.
Thanks for the info.

[AlBags]

Have a look at dampers and mountings there first. They have a habit of chattering (light soft knocking/rattling) over light bumps.

[Answerprancer]

Ok - it would be good if it's something as simple as this.

[237SJ]

I had a Puma and before I got it I used to get knocking sounds. I was told the rear axle bushes were worn although that tends to give a bit of play when driving as well.

[237SJ]

Whoops, meant before I got rid of it, not before I got it.

[Answerprancer]

LOL - I did wonder. Ok I'll look into that too.

[chas2008]

rear axle bushes are a common problem as they are with Fiestas which carry the same suspension set up