850R Wagon unusual noise

Otters · Post by **Otters** » 22 Sep 2010, 10:18

I have a noise only when driving that was intermittent but is now frequent. I have heard all sorts of sounds before and usually can identify if it's brake, bearing, fan, altenator etc but this sound is like nothing I have ever heard before. It sounds like I am dragging a hard plastic cup on a string that is being caught up and thrown around the engine compartment. It then gets spat out and a few seconds later starts jumping around again.

I have looked for items caught near the cooling fan and the timing belt but nothing to see. So has something broken loose inside the transmission that would cause this tyoe of sound. The location sounds like it is coming from underneathe the car at the rear of the engine.

luke_jones · Post by **luke_jones** » 22 Sep 2010, 13:07

Its possible that what you are describing could be the symptoms of a worn out upper spring seat on one of the struts. I had that issue on my wife's 95 850 GLT. The noise it makes sounds very much like what you describe.

Otters · Post by **Otters** » 22 Sep 2010, 13:16

Thanks Luke, on your wife's car was there any visual indication of this or any unusual movement if you pushed or pulled?

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Sep 2010, 13:20

Grab the top of the strut tower under the hood with your hand and twist.

You shouldn't have this happen

I've had a loose heat shield make a similar noise on a Saab.

Otters · Post by **Otters** » 22 Sep 2010, 13:24

Thanks jablackburn, I will try this when I get home. Volvo is parked in my driveway at the moment.

luke_jones · Post by **luke_jones** » 23 Sep 2010, 08:49

Yeah as jablackburn said. It should be tight, depending on now bad it is, you could even have movement beyond the twisting. I was going to take a picture/video but I was at work and forgot for a minute that I rode the harley yesterday

Otters · Post by **Otters** » 24 Sep 2010, 17:31

I tried to turn both the strut towers and there is no twisting. I did have both struts replaced about 20,000 miles ago with new original equipment.

Any other thoughts. I'm concerned about driving it as it sounds as though something is going to break. I'm 30 miles from my Volvo specialists in Villa Park, IL. I'm thinking of flat bedding it but that will be pricy.

Post by **holler1** » 24 Sep 2010, 18:19

The way you described the location of the sound makes me wonder if it might be the front coupling on the AWD driveshaft. However, that is a repetitive metallic "ping" kind of sound that varies with vehicle speed.

luke_jones · Post by **luke_jones** » 24 Sep 2010, 21:30

Broken hood hinge? You could look down in the fender opening where the hinge goes through and see if one of the springs is loose or broken. I've heard of that happening and then bouncing around when you're driving.

I would think if there was something wrong in the transmission you might be able to hear it when the car was in gear but stopped.

New question....does it happen at any speed? If you were to put it in gear and idle down your street...does it still do it, or does it only happen under normal driving circumstances? I think that would rule out the internals of the engine or tranny. Only other think I would do is get it up in the air and check for anything loose or broken. Tranny mounts, motor mounts. I dunno...just spouting things off to look at before you fork over all the cash for someone else to look.

davis911s · Post by **davis911s** » 13 Nov 2010, 23:45

Ever find out what this was?
I have a similar sound that happens when I give it a quick shot of gas,(low speed) or let my foot off the gas. Kind of a clunking sound. Sounds like coming from the front right tire area. I will jack it up and take a look and wiggle stuff around