A loud banging sound is heard when accelerating or decelerating a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Technician A says this could be due to a leaking shock absorber, while Technician B claims it is a broken torque arm. Which technician is correct?

The correct answer is that Technician B is correct because a loud banging sound when accelerating or decelerating a rear-wheel-drive vehicle often indicates a problem with the vehicle's suspension or drivetrain components. Specifically, a broken torque arm can cause significant drivetrain movement or misalignment, leading to a loud noise as the engine's power is applied or released.

The torque arm is essential in maintaining the alignment of the rear differential during acceleration and deceleration. If it is broken, the differential can move excessively, resulting in the banging noise that you would hear. This movement can also create misalignment between the driveshaft and the rear axle, which contributes to the noise.

On the other hand, while a leaking shock absorber can affect ride quality and handling, it is less likely to produce a loud banging sound directly associated with changes in acceleration or deceleration. A leaking shock may create a damped feeling in the suspension but would not typically produce the same immediate mechanical noise that would be characteristic of a broken torque arm. Therefore, focusing on the nature of the sound and the components involved leads to the conclusion that a broken torque arm is a more accurate cause in this scenario.