Strut noises after long ride (V70 1998)

ms1978 · Post by **ms1978** » 28 Jun 2010, 00:00

Hello,

this is my first post here. Hopefully I won't sound too stupid.

I have a V70 1998, 166k miles. After a longer right (say 20-30 mins or more), after I go over a hump my front left strut makes funny scratchy noises. It is completely silent after a longer pause in driving.

Now, I had front struts and strut mounts replaced 6 months ago. (@Wheelworks. The right side was making _terrible_ noises right after the replacement, and wheelworks fixed it for free, claiming a bad piece. The left side was kinda OK). They also replaced right CV shaft. Left CV joint was done maybe 2 years ago.

I think the struts were dead that time (I don't have repair receipts from previous owners, so I don't know if and when the struts were replaced in the past) and really needed repair. The rear ones are probably dead as well, but I don't have to money to change those now (front ones were ~1400 USD - work + parts, an independent local shop gave me a similar quote. I think I got ripped, but I am really failing in finding a good mechanic here). I am not sure about the CV shaft - they claimed it was damaged (together with CV boots) - that we hit something on the road. I am not aware of that, but maybe my wife ... who knows.

Nevermind. So I spend like 2000 USD on this car that I need to be working for another 2 years or so. But the "scratching" left side is driving me crazy. I can't simply go to the shop and complain, because there is no noise when the car is cold. On the other hand, I need to go there soon of I want them to fix the strut in warranty period (should the left side be bad the same way as the right was).

My question: could it be still a bad strut? It is really "scratchy sound", only when I drive over a hump. It is not "bouncing" noise (that was the CV shaft).

Thank you for suggestions and help.

Post by **phils94850** » 28 Jun 2010, 06:44

since you had the spring mounts replaced and they "should" be good, have them check your sway bar links, thats another common noise problem..

ms1978 · Post by **ms1978** » 28 Jun 2010, 14:17

Thank you for the replys..

Just to make sure, when talking about sway bar endlinks, are we talking about this:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... ory_id/181

or something else?

Thank you.

Post by **JRL** » 28 Jun 2010, 14:49

Yes except don't buy those.
Either buy OEM Volvo or IPD HDs

ms1978 · Post by **ms1978** » 28 Jun 2010, 23:21

I check the sway bar links and they look fine. The right one was obviously replaced and the left one still looks OK. But the fact that the noise comes only after longer drive (i.e. warm engine) leads me to a speculation that the anti-sway bar (http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/sku_files/9445_INST.PDF) itself (its bushings) are the problem.

1) Is my suspicion correct? I see only two bushings there, but can't tell their state.

2) Is it worth to fix it? The parts seem to be ~USD300 plus the work. I cannot do this by myself (I don't have enough equipment). (The car is an East-coast car, so quite rusty and overall value is close to nothing. I just need a grocery car for next 1-2 years).

3) Is there any temporary fix?

Thank you.