Front strut noise

[snobirdvet]

Hello, Just bought Grannys 1999 V70 wagon ( no really , 90 years old, she switched to cabs) . I Have questions.

1) Only one defect noted. Clunk noise from right front when hitting bump, owners son said it was a broken strut cushion. I am clueless, any input help ?

2) Wagon has 96,000 miles on it, sticker under hood says the timing belt replaced at 69,000 miles, in 2007. My question, is the timing belt due again at 105 K or is the 69 K first replace good for more miles, and since the belt was replaced in 2007, does aging have an effect by 2012?

3) Is this a turbo model, is it located under the heat shield near the firewall ? No leaks noted.

4) Know any good independent Volvo repair houses in Tucson AZ besides the dealers ?

Thanks,
Newguy

[jblackburn]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the site!

That noise is your spring seat. Open the hood and look at the top of the strut tower. The part you see sticking up is the rubber spring seat and will spin right around in place - that's what's clunking.

That timing belt will need to be changed in 2 years but should be fine for now.

Yep, it's a turbo! Does it say GLT or T5 on the back?

[snobirdvet]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I will look around for a mechanic to replace the spring seat.

This volvo does not say GLT or T5 , nothing on the back hatch, seems to be a lower end model, cloth seats , no power seat or sunroof, is it possible it is not a Turbo ? did they make any non-turbo 99s ? cause i could not see any piping coming from the exhaust area to the air box but then i am not sure with this engine. Thanks for the help.

[jblackburn]

That's what a turbo engine looks like. If you don't have those big metal pipes, it's a non-turbo. Sounds like you have the base, 168 hp version.

Also, make sure to only use OEM or IPD heavy duty spring seats. Any of the aftermarket junk will break again in a few thousand miles and leave you out the money for the repair...again.

[neworleans]

Congrats on your volvo.

I would replace both spring seats on each side and wouldn't pay more than 250 bucks for this repair. 50 for spring seats and 200 for labor.

Check your end links as well while doing this.

I think your model is a sedan base...

[vjaneczko]

This is a sign of a bad spring seat:



If you feel like getting dirty, the suspension isn't too bad to work on. I learned how-to from a few write-ups here and at some other Volvo sites. It's nice to save all that cake that you would've handed to a mechanic!

[snobirdvet]

Thanks to all that replied with advice, engine is definately a non-turbo which is OK with me, less maintenance, senior drivers dont need the power. I will examine the spring seat, good advice on buying quality parts. Thanks for all the help

[snobirdvet]

Suspicions confirmed. The right spring seat freely rotates, just like the vjaneczko video, so I will look for a good mechanic to replace both sides.

Another question, this 99 is the base model, cloth seats. The door sticker and the manual say it has side airbags in the seatback. Dont see how the sidebags can deploy, not the usual hatch with the SRS logo ?

Maybe the base models dont have side air bags ?? Anybody verify that ? Thanks for any further advice.

[jblackburn]

I used to order parts like that on my own and have them installed somewhere if I couldn't do it on my own. That way, you can ensure the quality of the parts (OEM instead of some aftermarket junk that will just go bad again).

Keep in mind you will need an alignment after those are replaced. Since the whole strut assembly is also coming out to do this, you may also consider inspecting (or having the car looked at) to see if anything else - tie rods, control arms, struts - should be replaced at the same time.

They all have side air bags. They bust open the plastic cover by the door when they deploy.

[JRL]

senior drivers dont need the power.

Says who?