98 V70 New Strut Question

briderx · Post by **briderx** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:10

I just installed the Bilstein Touring struts on my car. At the same time, I also did new dust boots, strut mount, spring seat, bump stop and "Cap". My front right side was totally shot, driver side was still good. So, after the replacement, for the first 300 miles, it ran GREAT! No noises, nothing. However, today, we were driving and I noticed a squeak coming out of the drivers side wheel well when hitting a bump in the road. I am 99% positive that the sway bar link bushings on both sides are shot. According to FCPGroton, the top piece that is under the hood is called a "cap". Well, the factory cap sat on the strut mount, after the install, they sit above the strut mount by about 1/4 - 3/8" above. Bouncing on the front of the car doesn't change the height of it. It doesn't seem right.. Any ideas where I can start to diagnose the issue?

BTW: New links are going to be installed sometime next week.. Didn't have the funds at the time.

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:36

The cap is supposed to sit up off the mount, that is normal.

Sounds like the spring seats are broken, perhaps because the TC are stiffer than what was on there before. At any rate, check the spring seats, e.g. look at the last few posts in this thread:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... ?f=1&t=673

briderx · Post by **briderx** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:40

With me posting above that I replaced the spring seats, what would give you indication that's the problem? Very curious... Is there any sort of diagnostics I can do without ripping the tires off?

I'm checking that link now..

briderx · Post by **briderx** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:45

I also wanted to state, I purchased the XC-90 version. My v70 is an AWD GLT.

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Dec 2012, 16:52

First time I read your post I thought you did not replace spring seats, my mistake. Thought the old ones were still in there.

If you bought new XC90 seats then I do not suspect those are a problem. You can do the test, it just involves rotating the top nut, but I doubt it.

Basically all that is left is the end links and the sway bar bushings. One way to check them both is to unhook the sway bar and drive around the block or bounce it in the driveway if you can recreate the problem that way. If it goes away, you have found the problem.

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Dec 2012, 17:09

Also, did this squeak just happen once, or is it all the time now?

Sway bar links usually clunk, not squeak, but they could be the problem. It is common to not get them tightened up all the way, then they do not seat properly at the sway bar, so be sure to check that too.