2005 Volvo S60 2.5T Front End Clamping Noise

[whistlebird]

About two months ago, I had the front struts and rear shocks replaced by my local Good Year Dealer because every time I went over a large bump, I would feel it hard, like a hard jolt.

My Volvo dealer said that this was normal, which I said was not, and had the above parts replaced. Now the ride is firm, not soft, and whenever I ride over a bump, I feel it but not as a hard jolt which I believe is what a firm suspension means.

That being said, the GY dealer also performed a wheel alignment.

Ever since the alignment and above work, whenever I ride down certain inclines or hills, or make a turn, I occasionally would hear a loud sound that sounds like two bars hitting together, or more specifically, something like a clamping sound.

I brought the car back twice regarding this annoying sound to the GY dealer, rode with the tech, and the noise did not replicate itself the way I have described it. Moreover, the noise is not consistant. Both times the tech checked underneath the car, and everything appears tight.

I bought the car used last year with 48k miles, and until the suspension work was done, never heard any clamping noise. In addition the car drives straight, and there is no steering wheel vibrations.

The noise never appears when I put the car in reverse, nor does it appear when I am shifting the automatic.

I did notice, when the car was parked, that under the car, near the rear of the engine block, that there is some type of bar with a pivot that has what looks like a rectangular curved or rounded square attached. It looked to me like it was in a raised position. Could this be the cause of that clamping sound. I am not familiar with Volvo suspension, so maybe this sounds like a dumb question.

I love the car, it rides smoothly but the noise is annoying, and I am at a loss to explain it. Should I have the alignment redone?

Any advice for this new Volvo driver as to what can be causing that clamping sound?
Much appreciated.

[vtl]

Check sway bar end links (wears out) and strut spring seats (cracks).

Once it happened to me that I didn't put enough torque in left spring seat's nut and it had a little bit of play, just enough for clank in a tight run turn.