1986 240 Metallic 'click' in front end ( left side)

Post by **Jeff1964** » 25 Apr 2011, 11:43

I have had an annoying suspension noise for the last year or so- took it to the local Volvo mech who told me that it was my sway- bar linkages and engine mounts. I replaced the bushings at the top of the s-b linkage and replaced the motor mounts yesterday. The noise still occurs over small bumps/cracks in street. I replaced the bushings furthest from the motor on my triangular strut mount pieces on both sides. My struts are the original ones though.

The noise sounds like a loud metallic click- like something is interfering with the suspension travel at the first part of travel like over a small bump. When I ease over a speed bump I do not hear the noise sometimes.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Post by **Jeff1964** » 05 May 2011, 16:36

I am still waiting for advice !!!!!

Post by **jonesg** » 07 May 2011, 14:10

1986, I'd replace everything that hasn't been done yet.
I just did inner tie rods on my 1990 740 and they were the original tie rods, evidenced by the peen to the rack.
Previously I did ball joints, cone bushings , outter tie rod ends, sway bar links. I was still getting slop and just decided to change everything that hadn't been done. Car passed inspection.!

You can try jacking a wheel up and pull/push at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock to test the tie rods.
Or place a pry bar under the tire using a chunk of wood or brick as a fullcrum to lever the tire up and down and watch all the links, play will be evident by movement before the strut moves.
Also try jacking both wheels off the ground and wiggle the steering wheel side to side.
Lots of volvo vids on Youtube to help you visualize.

Post by **Jeff1964** » 02 Jun 2011, 11:37

JonesSG-

Thank you for your reply-

Here is what I did: I have done the digger bar under the wheels and trying to move them at 10 and 3 for play. Nothing.. so, I removed the left strut and checked ball joints, strut bearing for play. I found no play and I put it all back together. I was not able to remove the castle nut but the shock absorber seemed to be still functional so i figured all was well in there. I still had the noises- but for some reason they seemed to go away over the next two weeks.

Now, When I back up and turn the wheels back to straight I hear a loud clunk coming from the left strut well. Then for a few miles I hear the noises again- rattling in the strut well, clicking etc. Then the noises go away again.

Any chance my steering rack is going out? I had it professionally replaced it last year with a refurbed one.
Any more insights?

Post by **jonesg** » 02 Jun 2011, 13:12

noise going over small bumps was mostly balljoints on mine.

Post by **writer100** » 03 Jun 2011, 10:26

could be balljoints, yes, or struts/strut plates.

Sorry to be vague, but with your mileage, anything original is suspect.

Post by **Jeff1964** » 11 Jul 2011, 17:24

Breakthrough weekend for this problem. I ordered the new bushings for the rear control arm joints. Turns out I did not need them though I used my vice to push the left one out.

As I was removing the rear control arm mounting cowling, I noticed that the top bolt was not coming out, just spinning. Thinking that the nut mount was loose I was going to cut off the bolt, but could not. So I pried the cowling away from the chassis with the large screwdriver and spun the bolt with my impact wrench. The bolt came out and the nut mount was fine. It was the bolt that messed up. All the threads were smoothed down and the end was stripped. That was why It would not come out normally. Seems that whenever I felt that clunk, it was one of the worn threads slipping. It would go away for a while as the bolt eased back into place, until the next time stress was applied to the cowling mount. This was every time I would back out of a parking space. Boy, what a relief!

Replaced the bolt and now no more clunk!!

Post by **Jeff1964** » 10 Aug 2011, 11:02

thought I had this fixed-

The small bump rattle is back- I thought it was due to the non-OEM bolt I put in the control arm rear mount to replace the stripped one- but after pulling the right bolt from the local pick n pull and installing it , the noise still occurs. I don't get the clunk anymore when I reverse and turn, but the rattling still happens over manhole covers, and small bumps in the road at 25 mph.

any thoughts, anybody?