1998 XC70 Front End Clunking While Turning

chubbyfresh · Post by **chubbyfresh** » 14 May 2010, 14:23

Hi Everyone - First post to the forum.

While driving to work this morning I noticed that while coasting at around 20 mph there was a faint clunking coming from the front, seemed to be coming from the drivers side. If I accelerate, even slightly the clunking goes away (or maybe I can't hear it because of engine noise). If I apply the brakes the clunking goes away as well.

This afternoon while driving home I noticed the same clunking while coasting, but also noticed that when turning left the clunking got more pronounced, from a faint clunking to a much louder clunking. It does not occur when turning right. The faster I go while turning left the faster and louder the clunking gets. I have not tried applying the brakes while turning to see if the noise goes away.

Once I got home I poped the hood and twisted the spring hats - there is some play, though not more than 1/4" each way, and no clunking noise when I twist. I already know I need a right front spring hat as I have the tell tail clattering when I hit a bump.

Shifting the car into neutral does not change the noise at all. I should also note that I do need to do the front brakes (they're not terrible but it's time) at speeds above 65 there is a vibration when applying the brakes.

I have not had a chance to get under the car and take a look at it yet, planning on checking the tie rod ends by twisting the tire left to right, and inspecting the sway bar bushings - though the frequency of the clunking changing with speed makes me think that it's something that's rotating.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pat

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 14 May 2010, 18:04

It sounds to me like a bad axle. Probably the front passenger side axle.

Post by **JRL** » 14 May 2010, 21:38

Spring seats
Sway bar links
Control arm bushing
Outer tie rod
Take your pick

lienmarine · Post by **lienmarine** » 14 May 2010, 21:48

Don't forget the motor mounts!

That ended up being the cause of my mystery front end clunk on my 98 XC. I found this out by replacing the sway bar links, ball joints and control arms, and drivers side axle. XC front ends are a lot of fun...

Post by **ghoulama** » 15 May 2010, 10:06

check the axle boots for any cracks or leakage. clunking while turning is the classic bad axle symptom

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 15 May 2010, 12:07

I had a similar clunking that I noticed coming to a stop or coasting or otherwise going really slow. I checked everything already mentioned here. It turned out that the power steering reservoir was low on ATF. Filled it up and the clunking stopped. It was just the motor on the Power Steering pump going into overdrive. My issues solved, so check your power steering levels too.

chubbyfresh · Post by **chubbyfresh** » 19 May 2010, 05:19

So I got under the car over the weekend - and drove it around a bit more. CV boots look good - in fact everything looks good. I'm wondering if there is a good way to check the CV joints on the axles? - if I twist the joint should there be play it it at all i.e. twist one end clockwise, and the other end counter clockwise - should there be any give at all, or should it be 100% tight?

At this point oddly enough I'm leaning toward a warped rotor - I can totally stop the sound if I hit the brakes, and it happens when coasting in a straight line - seems odd to me for an axle - if it's making the noise in a straight line and I hit the brakes it stops.

Thoughts?

Post by **ghoulama** » 19 May 2010, 08:34

if there is no leakage and the boots have grease they are most likely fine. before you take the rotor off check the wheel bearing for excessive play.