Squeaky Strut Mount

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 08 Dec 2009, 15:04

I have been noticing a squeaking noise coming from the passenger side wheel area when going over bumps. I took it to my Indy concerned it was a ball joint. He said it was a squeaky strut mount and sent me on my way. That was about 3 weeks ago.

Fast forward...squeak is much more noticable. Decided to lift the hood and take a look. When I jumped up and down on the bumper it was very apparent- the rubber "grommet" on top sounded like a bedspring. It moved up and down about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Compared to the drivers side, it makes no noise, and moves up and down about an 1/8 inch, if that. Also, the nut on top of the grommet is loose. I am not sure what, if any movement up and down is acceptable.

That said, my first question is: Does this present an unsafe situation? Secondly, can I tighten the nut and lube the grommet? Or thirdly, do I have to replace the whole strut mount?

Post by **holler1** » 08 Dec 2009, 16:19

My guess based on your description is that the spring mount is worn out on the passenger's side. The spring mount sits on top of the spring and fits into the strut mount. The strut mount is a bearing with the flat plate on top that bolts to the body of the car. Try turning the top nut and the shaft back and forth a little. If it turns easily on the passenger's side and with more difficulty on the driver's side, it indicates that the passenger side spring mount is coming apart. I don't think it's dangerous unless it affects steering, but it's not going to get any better. I don't think lubing the top will help; it might make it quieter temporarily. Tightening the nut might help if the nut has come loose, but it may be loosening in the components below it (spring mount etc). Some movement up and down at the top is (I think) normal but 1/2 inch seems excessive. If all the suspension components have 100K or more miles, they are due to be replaced. I should say that all my experience with V70/850 Volvos is with one car; some other forum members have lots more experience.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Dec 2009, 16:22

Your problem is not the strut mount but it is the spring seat. They are a known weak area on the cars. If you replace them use the OEM XC90 spring seats, they only cost a few dollars more and they are much stronger. They fit fine on 850s and 70 series cars.

Avoid Scan Tech branded parts at all costs or you will be doing this all over again within 6 months. During the replacement you will have an opportunity to inspect the strut mount itself. Feel for excessive looseness and other bearing noises and roughness. If they are OEM they are usually good for 2 to 3 hundred thousand miles. This is again a place to avoid Scan Tech parts. The price is seductive when compared to OEM but the pain is much worse when you pay for the job all over again.

..Lee

Post by **holler1** » 08 Dec 2009, 16:48

I got the terminology wrong - spring seat, not spring mount. Sorry.

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 09 Dec 2009, 07:17

Thanks. I assume the strut assembly needs to be removed to replace the spring seat?

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 09 Dec 2009, 07:24

When I searched for a "Spring Seat", I got "strut mount bushing". Is this the same thing?

Sladethesleeper · Post by **Sladethesleeper** » 09 Dec 2009, 08:19

It is like the spring seat. If you are going to replace it, might as well replace the strut mount at the same time. They require the same amount of work and are usually sold as a set anyways.

Is it unsafe? All I can tell you is I drove around with a busted spring seat for about 6 months before it got too annoying to live with. I can really tell you a before and after difference since at the same time I replaced the worn out struts and rear shocks and shock mounts at the same time.

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 09 Dec 2009, 08:25

Is the spring seat then a componet of the strut mount? When I do a search for "spring seat", I get "strut mounts".

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 09 Dec 2009, 08:33

okay. I see from previous discussions on this topic I should purchase the XC90 Spring Seat. I found one, but it is for model years 2003-2010. Will this fit my 1998 V70?

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 09 Dec 2009, 08:53

Is this what I need? I looked at an exploded view and there was no spring seat for a v 70

http://www.swedishautoparts.com/V70/V70 ... front.html

FRONT SUSPENSION 1998-2000 Volvo V70 1998-2010

V70 1998-2000 Strut Mount Bushing Upper top of spring 2 needed AFT 8646713 $ 22.59 Buy Now #5