front right grinding/knocking sound

Post by **rmmagow** » 19 Nov 2012, 10:41

If you are getting anything like "thump, rattle, rattle" going over a bump, it the strut mounts. Can you bring the car to a nice rough dirt road? If it the strut mounts, it'll get crazy noisy. I know the turn test didn't indicate a bad mount, but they have many ways of going bad.

Post by **rmmagow** » 19 Nov 2012, 14:09

Check your brake calipers too, see if one might be loose or pads falling apart.

tomstir · Post by **tomstir** » 20 Nov 2012, 05:31

When I left for work it took a couple of blocks before I heard the sound again.....kinda muffled,much quieter....then it went away...before the tie rod change I could hear it with the windows up. I never heard it on the freeway . When I got to a residential area on the way home I only heard it once in a while......before it would do four rattles over an uneven surface, now just one. I rolled up the window and could barely make it out...almost like it's coming from the glove box or right side of the dash.....maybe that's the sound I have been hearing for years and not thinking twice about it and then when the tie rod went out the sounds started sounding the same at first and then gradually the tie rod sound got louder. I need to have my wife drive my car so I can hear it from the passenger side...that won't be able to happen until Friday. I ordered the left side tie rod just in case they are getting too aged.....maybe it's time to do the suspensions/steering....are these parts lives up? 145k mi

rmmago
How could I test to see if it is the strut mounts..besides the rough road...we have plenty here. When I had the car in the air I pulled and pried on the strut and it didn't seem to move sideways at all.....the top of the strut would just barely twist and sounded like rubber twisting only about two degrees.
I checked the brakes and all appears normal.

thanks for the suggestions

Post by **rmmagow** » 20 Nov 2012, 07:50

I am at 185K on a 98V70. I have had to do the strut mounts, strut bearings, and sway links. I've not had to do the tie-rods yet and am pretty sure they are original (per the selling mechanic). Could you maybe be hearing a dash related rattle? I think the dashes are know for plastic falling apart. My car is generally pretty noisy on bumpy roads but it is mostly interior parts rattling around. Pretty quiet on smooth roads. Can you feel anything in the steering wheel? When I get small, new noises I generally wait until they get bad and fix whatever wore out as long as the car still drives and stops OK. If you have a chance to remove the wheels, check the backing plates of the brakes. They can get loose or even pick up a tiny stone that can make strange noises at random times.

tomstir · Post by **tomstir** » 25 Nov 2012, 03:39

rmmagow-

I was just thinking the same thing when I was driving home Wed morning. I believe the sound I was/am hearing is a rubbing of the dash or rubber bushing in the suspension....the dash sound comes first and then the suspension....when it was grinding (before I replaced the tie rod) that was the last and most prominent sound....they all kinda went together. Now when I drive I have been super in tune with all the noises and over thinking them. The tie rod replacement definetly fixed the grinding/knocking sound I was having. 'What was odd was I never felt anything in the steering...only a sound...I would have thought that I would have felt the tie rod.

I have the left side tie rod and was going to put that in before I get an alignment...but I'm debating about what else to replace. I have read a lot of the posts about part failure/replacement and I almost have 150k so It might be time. Did you replace just the bushings on the sway bar links? Are those sold without the bars? Is there a reason you didn't replace the struts while doing the mounts and bearings?

thanks
tomstir

Post by **Ben850** » 25 Nov 2012, 09:03

I am still curious. Have you replaced the right front lower engine mount? It is cheap and easy.
You said you have ruled it out, but at 150k miles, I would suggest doing it. You will be amazed. You will feel, and likely hear the difference immediately.

Post by **rmmagow** » 25 Nov 2012, 09:15

I was debating about replacing the struts but they appear to be fine. The mechanic I bought the car from indicated that he thought the struts had been replace by the PO within a few years, plus they didnt behave as if they were shot. Now, I did have all the spring seats etc work done for me with parts I supplied but the struts, if they need replacing can be done by me. Although I do try to do my own work, I'm just not opposed to supporting a good small shop. I don't buy cars often, but a car that starts to make me crazy is usually replaced after a couple of years. The old V70 I have now will be a keeper and will be pushed to 250~300K miles as long as major crap stays together. I'd do what ben850 suggests, the lower mount is damn near as easy as changing a tire and made a world of difference to my car. Just use a non-URO part and you'll be fine.
Someone may be able to tell how check the dash for broken mounts. That job looks very difficult but with great results. Cruthfield sells some really loud sound systems too

tomstir · Post by **tomstir** » 03 Dec 2012, 04:10

It's back!!!! I would hear the same noise very lightly once in a while but not enough to think it was back....until today....I loaded up the wife and kid and went shopping...there it was....grinding/rubbing/knocking!!! I'm guessing the added weight (this does not sound good) made the difference?

ben850-I have not replaced the front lower mount...it looks fine and there does not seem to be any saging or extra vibration of the engine. If I do replace the suspension I will replace that as well.

I'm guessing upper spring seat. Apparently these crack over time...does anyone recommend the ipd heavy duty vs the xc90?

I've been reading as much as time allows me too about replacing all of the front suspension. It seems that if one was to purchase all the parts you could assemble each side prior to install and make the job a little quicker. I was thinking that would be a great time saver...but are there any parts that don't usually need to be replaced?

What are the recommendations for lowering? Any opinions on strut/spring/shock combo? I would like the car to handle a little better and if I was going to replace the suspension why not have some fun too!!!! I have the stock 15" wheels and don't really plan on going bigger unless some crazy deal came along. thoughts?

front right grinding/knocking sound

Re: front right grinding/knocking sound