Creaking/moaning Strut Mount

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 22 Mar 2010, 14:51

1999 V70R AWD
Hello crew. Doing a search I see that this problem has been posted before by others with no posted solution. So I'm posting it again, maybe somebody has since figured it out.

Back around Christmas I replaced my front struts and mounts with OEM parts. The job went super easy once I got large enough compressors, and the car was quiet and smooth after that. I waited about a month to get new tires and alignment done. As soon as I got in the car at the shop the passenger side started making a creaking/moaning noise. Pretty sure it's the strut mount. Power steering, joints and ends, wheel stops, cv joints, all good. It happens worst when turning steering while standing still. If I put my hand on the mount I can feel the vibration, like maybe the bearing up there is binding up. The struts and mounts are new, and look to be intact. What could an alignment have done to cause this? I really don't want to take everything apart, and have to waste another $100 an another wheel alignment.

P.S. it also only happens sporatically often.....these parts were bought on ebay.

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 22 Mar 2010, 15:44

OK, doing a further Google search, this problem seems to be quit common on all makes of cars. Apparently someone has a patent to correct it, But I do not understand what the hell I'm reading.

Here's the patent link....... http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/61261 ... ption.html

Anybody with with a little more synaptic activity than me want to take a crack at it, and maybe translate?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Mar 2010, 20:35

The good news is that if it is the bearing you can just replace it and normally you don't need to mess with another alignment. You also don't need to use the spring compressor again - it is all done from the top. Don't buy the junk Scan Tech replacements. As painful as the OEM price is go ahead and buy OEM. DW Volvo should give you a decent price on it/them.

Have you tried greasing the steering stops on the control arms? They can cause the creaking and groaning that you describe.

...Lee

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 23 Mar 2010, 04:06

How do I get it out from the top? The whole assy has to come completely out of the car to split the bearing from the spring seat?

I don't remember, but is there any alignment adjs where the assy bolts to the spindle? or at the top of the tower.

Thanks

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Mar 2010, 18:10

I have changed them out by removing the top strut nut and the inverted castle washer on the top and by removing the two bolts on the control arms where they bolt up to the frame so as to drop the strut assembly far enough away that I could get strut mount out of the strut tower. I also removed the ABS sensor wire.

The spring seat just rests into the strut mount / bearing.

...Lee

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 24 Mar 2010, 09:15

Yeah, that's what I fugured. I'm going to wind up doing that. Just wish I knew why it happened. And why immediately after an alignment.