Groans from the Front End

[Dave Swann]

Sunday my wife started complaining about noises from her 2001 V70. I jacked up the front end to investigate. What I tracked down seems to be coming from some of the "lubricated for life" sealed joints, especially from the tie rod ends and the sway bar link to the strut. Has anyone else has this problem and repaired them without having to replace the offending links? By the way, the car has only 63K miles.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, First off: The sway bar links can go even at 63K. If I can quote someone else's advice, Remove one bolt and drive the car. If the sound disappears then it's the links. They're cheap and easy enough to replace. You can also turn the wheels to gain access to them, grab them and shake them. Any motion is reason enough to change them. The tie rod ends can be checked with someone turning the steering wheel slightly for you while you look. Any play is reason enough to change them. Since "everyone" associates worn sway bar links with rattles and worn tie rod ends with wobbles at various speeds I'd think more about spring seats. They groan while turning. Kira