Creaking suspension

Craig · Post by **Craig** » 24 Feb 2004, 18:13

Hi guys,

I've noticed recently that the suspension on my car creaks a lot! , so having looked through you're site I noticed you've mentioned this before as being the fault of the spring mount.So a few questions before I start pulling the car apart.

1 Does this apply to the rear suspension as well as the front?

2 Would this affect the cars handling?, if I drive the car sedately then theres no problem, but recently I pulled out of a side road with my foot to the floor and the damn thing nearly pulled me across the road into oncoming traffic. The car is a reall handfull when being driven hard.

3 How much do the new spring seats cost(I live in the uk)

4 How big a job is it(bearing in mind I will need to do all four corners)

Any help would be grately appreciated as its not nice to drive fast at the moment

borisdadog · Post by **borisdadog** » 25 Feb 2004, 12:37

I have an 850 wagon with the same problem. My mechanic, not Volvo certified but pretty good with it so far, diagnosed a deteriorated front strut attachment. The volvo parts he quoted for replacement have been re-designed from original, so it must be a fairly common problem.

He quoted me $450/front side, about $100 of that is labor, and he does mark up the parts some.

I don't have the handling issue you've mentioned, but I can see where this problem could contribute to pull if the strut attachment is gone to the point of allowing the front wheel to "float" some under heavy load.

I hope this helps. My first post!

Jerry

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Feb 2004, 15:10

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the info, I'm a fairly competant home mechanic so I suppose I'll pluck up the courage to take the struts apart and examine them.I was sort of hoping it would be something simple (and cheap) instead , ho hum good job its nearly pay day eh?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » 25 Feb 2004, 21:56

have you looked at the photos i took of my spring seat bushes that became worn out. matthew has posted them on the site. thats possible what the problem is. not hard to change.

Post by **matthew1** » 25 Feb 2004, 22:29

Good point, Pete. It's linked off my main page or just go here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/spring_seats.php

That in turn links back to a thread on this forum.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » 26 Feb 2004, 13:31

Went out and checked under the hood today, and lo and behold the left hand suspension top is off center(as apposed to the drivers side which is smack in the middle of the mount). I also wrang my local volvo garage that breaks late model volvo's and I can get a full front strut(including suspension top mount) for a measly

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Feb 2004, 15:40

Pics: yes please. Email them or post them online, either way, and I'll post them up here. [email protected]

Seats: check for disconnected wires coming out directly under the seat(s)

Craig · Post by **Craig** » 26 Feb 2004, 16:17

Thanks Matthew,

Unfortunately its not as simple as a disconected wire(already checked),
is there a known electrical fault on this circuit as its tied into the mirrors as well which have also stopped working.

I noticed the other day whilst awaiting for my beloved to come back from a lengthy shopping expedition that the drivers seat lit up when I pressed the button, however in my exitement to see if the fault had been resolved I tried the mirrors which seemed to work ok.But on trying the passenger seat(which didnt work) both the others stopped working.I've had no problems in the past with either system but I'm puzzled by this fault. Any ideas?.

I also read somewhere recently that the heated seats had been the subject of a safety recall on these cars do you have any more info on this?.

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Feb 2004, 17:08

Recall is for North American 1996 and 97 850s. Don't know if/which other countries or years, but someone not too long ago in this forum mentioned that they are not covered for their 1994 850. I'd call your local Volvo dealer service dept.