V70 one-time click when in Drive

[chadtandy]

Hi all, new to the board and to Volvos, just bought a 2002 V70 2.4T a week ago. I have a couple small issues with the car that I'm wanting to work out:

1. This is the oddest one, when I put the car in drive in the first 20-30 feet I hear a click or a short metalic rub (like a really loose wheel bearing) and then I never hear it again until I park it, get in to drive again and go the firest 20-30 feet... And it definately sounds like it is outside the car on the drivers side. Looking under the car the CV axle on the drivers side looks there has been grease flung around but not tear in CV boot and CV axle looks to be all the way in to the housing. The previous owner did say he had recently replaced a CV axle but didn't tell me which side (well he said right side...) so I've emailed him to verify. So perhaps he had it replaced but didn't clean up flung grease.

2. Steering at low speeds I hear a bit of noise, like a whine (not clicking or clunking). Checked the power steering fluid and it looks to be right at the Cold | on the dipstick. Any ideas?

3. The last is a bit of a clunk in the steering wheel when hitting a decent bump. I've read around on the forums a bit and it sounds like the tie rods on these Volvos don't last forever and cause many symptoms. So I'm guessing I should go ahead and replace these?

Thanks in advance!
-Chad

[jimmy57]

The first noise sounds like your ABS pump test. Once per key cycle and at a little over 15 mph

the second noise is not unusual when power steering fluid needs to be changed. I am not there to be the gaue of the noise but if loud enough it can be the pump but that is not a high failure rate item.

There are a number of items that can cause clunk on bumps. I'd probably put upper spring seat as #1 most likely. The upper spring seat is rubber covered to decrease noise transmission and the spring seat rides on upper part of strut/shock absorber shaft. The connection to the shaft is a steel sleeve with the rubber bonded to it and the metal "guts" of spring seat. The rubber separates from the sleeve. This can be pretty easily seen with car on ground looking under the strut top large washer.
Lower control arm bushings and inner tie rods are on the top of the list too.

[chadtandy]

Thanks Jimmy, I'll definately check out the upper spring seat. Also, when checking power steering fluid the line is " | COLD " When cold should it be right on the line? or is the line the minimum? Mine is right on the line currently.

Thanks,
-Chad