My otherwise good shape XK8 has developed a noticeable "thump" in the rear when going over our poorly maintained roads. It is otherwise quiet. I checked the exhaust, all is good there.

I recall that there are "donut" type cushions at the rear shock towers. Perhaps these have gone bad?

Suggestions?

Regards,

 

There are big "cushions" at the top of the rear shocks. I recently replaced my rear shocks with new Bilsteins because I was getting a thump going over speed bumps. I replaced the sway bar links at the same time. No problems now. I didn't replace the "cushions", mainly because I didn't know they were there before I got in there, but they looked okay. There is a write-up on replacing the rear shocks in here somewhere, it's not terrible. You could try the sway bar links first, they are relatively easy.

 

Did you leave someone or something in the trunk? If it's a dead body, the smell will eventually give it away.