Low Speed Knocking Sound Topic is solved

Family Guy · Post by **Family Guy** » 07 Jan 2006, 10:54

We own a 1999 S70. Recently there has been a knocking when going over rough road at low speeds. It sounds like the knocking comes from the front right side of the car. The sound does not occur when traveling down the highway but it prevelent when traveling slowly. There is also uneven wear of the front right tire. It looks like it's ready to be replaced while the other 3 tires look great.

I tend to think that it's a bushing somewhere that needs replacing.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Don
[email protected]

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Jan 2006, 13:05

If the tire is wearing on that corner while not on others and that's the location of the knocking, I would suspect a bad tie rod end. I bought a replacement for my 850 several years ago from eeuroparts.com but on that car, I had to replace the entire A-arm (triangular looking thing). Fortunately, you're car probably only needs the end. But you should check your specific model to make sure.
A good test is to lift the tire car on that side slightly and grab the tire and see if you can turn it at the 3:00 and 9:00 position. It should not turn.
Another good place that may give you some answers (although not the cheapest) is here: http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx? ... RootID=629
Least expensive parts place as well as great service has been fcpgroton but I've never bought suspension parts from them. Specifically for your car, here's a link to their suspension parts:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/CSV70/csv70suspension.htm

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 08 Jan 2006, 08:16

Another very common problem on these cars is the spring seat, which will result in a clunking sound over bumps. I'd say it's best to go in and inspect all of the visible suspension components w/ the tire off and check for play in the control arms and closely check all of the boots on the tie rod ends and swaybar links. If nothing appears out of the ordinary, I'd bet on the spring seat.

Peter00228980 · Post by **Peter00228980** » 25 Mar 2006, 13:27

I have the same problem on my 98' V70 T5 wagon. A clunky, bad bushing sound coming from the front right side of my car in the strut area. The sound is most prevalent at low speed over bumpy roads and considerably worse when turning left under the same conditions. Right front tire is also wearing baddly on the outside edge. What is it? Pop your hood, grab the top bushing sticking up from your struts and try to twist them. They should not twist. If they do notice they make the same noist your looking for. What is it? Its the strut tower plate rubber insulator, somtimes called the strut mount bearing or bushing. If you look closely the metal sleeve in the center has broken loose from the rubber. This is the source of your noise. Not expensive ($16-$42 each depending on brand) but hard to get to. You have to remove the strut, compress the coil, take it apart and replace the strut mount bearing, and put back together. With 100,000 plus miles you may as well get new struts, strut mounts, and strut mount bearings as the labor is extensive. In other words do it all at once as the other parts are probably not far behind the bushings and I think a shop will charge 6 hours labor for replacing front struts on these cars. You can however save a lot from buying all these factory parts in one kit from FCP Groton on ebay. They charge $349 with free shipping. Total list is over $641. If you want after market struts or springs (bilstein, koni, etc.) now is a good time. Don't forget you'll need an alignment after replacement.

drzeaus42 · Post by **drzeaus42** » 23 Jun 2006, 11:26

I recently replaced the front struts and rear shocks on my 99 V70 at 90K miles. I didn't have any strange noises or tire wear problems, only a bouncy ride. I got the bielstein touring struts and shocks as well as all the replacement parts, strut rubber spring mount, strut bearings and associated washers, nuts etc. from the supplier mentioned in one of the replies. The Bielstein Tourning struts/shocks are great.

BUT The new replacement strut bearings caused an irritating 'chirping' sound' and I disassembled the struts and put the old volvo strut bearings back in with success. The supplier bearing was a bit different (angle of the bearing when compared to the volvo bearing) from the volvo bearing and was the cause of the chirping. Also both the rubber spring mounts from the same supplier failed within 3 months and gave the same knocking sounds as you describe. I had to go back and disassemble the struts and replace the rubber spring mounts. I would buy all my parts from IPD in Portland from now on.

Fortunately FCP Groton refunded my cost for the defective parts.

mboo23 · Post by **mboo23** » 23 Apr 2007, 19:54

As mentioned above in the posting by Peter00228980 I also have the noise in my 1999 V70.
"What is it? Pop your hood, grab the top bushing sticking up from your struts and try to twist them. They should not twist. If they do notice they make the same noist your looking for. What is it? Its the strut tower plate rubber insulator, somtimes called the strut mount bearing or bushing. If you look closely the metal sleeve in the center has broken loose from the rubber. This is the source of your noise."

The top bushing does twist on my car and indicates that I would need the strut mount bearing according to Peter (which is the strut mount according to FCPGroton). However, when I called my local shop the technician indicated that 9 times out of ten its the spring seat and rarely the strut mount. I would like to make this fix myself, but I am unsure of what parts I need. I hate to spend $80 (x2) on a mount if I don't need one. Any thoughts on the correct part? Should I just replace the seat which sounds like it's usually the culprit?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Apr 2007, 20:07

When I replaced mine at 100K (way to late by the way) I just replaced all of those parts for good measure. I'm glad that I did...both the strut mount and the spring seat were shot on both sides.

Post by **JRL** » 23 Apr 2007, 21:34

[quote="mboo23"]

However, when I called my local shop the technician indicated that 9 times out of ten its the spring seat and rarely the strut mount. quote]

You need a new mechanic.
Strut mounts break more than spring seats but they both fail.
If one goes you replace EVERYTHING (if $$ are OK) in the front end at that time and you'll be good to go for another 60-80K!
Tie rods, sway bar links and possibly control arm bushings, that's about all that can cause knocking noises

mboo23 · Post by **mboo23** » 24 Apr 2007, 20:34

Thanks JRL and MadeInJapan. I think I'm just going to replace everything just to be sure. I'm going to attempt the job myself so I only want to do it once. Thanks again for your advice.

dano009 · Post by **dano009** » 23 Sep 2007, 12:01

I was reading this thread as I have a real bad "thumping" noise in the right front, especially on rough roads. I replaced my sway bars but that didn't solve the problem.

In reading Peter00228980's post which he describes in part "Pop your hood, grab the top bushing sticking up from your struts and try to twist them" is exactly my problem. I had my struts replaced about 50k miles ago.

Should I go ahead and replace both strut assemblies or do you think I might be able to get by just replacing the spring seat and strut mount on the right side. Both struts seem to be still firm and stiff.

Thanks.

Dano