Strut issue

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 06 Oct 2010, 05:02

I noticed recently that the struts were making a knocking sound when I hit bumps. I had replaced them along with the spring mounts and strut mounts about 24k ago. I opened the hood and bounced the car and noticed that there was play between the strut mount and the large top washer with the downward facing "points". I thought maybe the nuts had loosened so I pulled the struts and checked both the top nut and the cross shaped nut underneath, both were very tight. Any idea what maybe going on here? I am guessing the strut mounts are gone maybe but wanted a second opinion. Thanks!

Post by **cn90** » 06 Oct 2010, 06:54

What BRAND of strut mount did you install?

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 06 Oct 2010, 07:18

Post by **holler1** » 06 Oct 2010, 08:05

Quick way to check the spring seat is to try to turn the top of the strut (top nut and washer) while it's on the car. If it turns easily all the way around, it probably means the spring seat is separated and loose. If you have them off the car, look closely at where the spring seat fits into the strut mount for mis-alignment. Some vertical separation of the top nut and washer from the strut mount seems normal; mine has always had 1/8" to 1/4 or so separation. The reason the poster above asked about where the strut parts came from is that some of the (Chinese?) parts wear out really fast, and some that claim "OEM" are not. The noise could also be a tie rod end or loose sway bar end link.

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 06 Oct 2010, 08:26

I checked the sway bar links, tie rods, spring mounts and control arms while I was in there. They are all tight. There was always a gap as you described between the washer and mount but I don't think it expanded and collapsed when I first installed them. You can see where the washer points have come in contact with the mount as it has moved. I will disassemble them again this weekend and see if I can find anything. When I did a couple of weeks ago, everything looked and felt good. There was no movement in the mount bearing and the spring seat seemed solid as well.

Post by **holler1** » 06 Oct 2010, 10:52

You checked everything I can think of. Ozark Lee knows a lot more about these suspensions, and he may reply at some point.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Oct 2010, 21:00

The strut mounts, unless they were Scantech normally don't clunk.

Before you kill the weekend put your hands on the lower portion of the end links for the sway bar and have someone bounce the fender.

In many cases you will swear they are tight and they really aren't - there is a huge vertical load on them and when you install them and they tend to cock where they bolt into the swaybar and trick you - even with a torque wrench.

...Lee

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 08 Oct 2010, 04:16

So you are suggesting the play between the top washer and strut mount is normal? I will check the sway bar links.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Oct 2010, 20:18

So you are suggesting the play between the top washer and strut mount is normal? I will check the sway bar links.

There is always a certain amount of play but it shouldn't exceed around 1/16" to 1/8" or so depending on your setup.

If you bought ScanTech spring seats then they are likely done at 24k. Post some pictures of what you are seeing on the top end with the inverted castle washer and we can speak more intelligently.

...Lee

Metalbonder · Post by **Metalbonder** » 09 Oct 2010, 12:24

I'm having the same issue on my 97. It has a clunk when you hit a bump comming from the passenger side front. The driver's side castle nut has a 1/8 gap below it but the passenger side is sitting on the mount. When I press down on the passenger side the castle nut raises off the mount. The car and volvos are reather new to me, but it rides to well for it to be the struts. I 'm thinking its either the bump stop or the spring mount. All of the parts look oem so a little maintenance may be due.
Jake