2006 XC90 squeak from passenger side when cold

[blandis]

Have a 2006 XC90 2.5 T. Don't post much as I have had virtually zero issues with it over the years. Purchased as a CPO out of Arizona with 70K. Currently has 166K and always stayed on top of maintenance and any potential issues. Tranny flushes and dealer fluid reprogram/reset (2X), new struts, tires and stage 0 tuneup in the last 6 months. My current DD (28 miles daily round trip), but as been my wifes favorite vehicle over the years. Looking to give it to my nephew soon for his local college car. No doubt will serve him well through college.

Cold weather set in here in Dallas. Getting a squeaking noise from the dash and/or firewall area best I can tell on the passenger side. Colder the weather is the louder the squeaking. Once above about 55 degrees no squeaking at all under any condition.

Best I can tell it is not a suspension noise in the sense it only squeaks when going over a bump or rough terrain. It will squeak when going over speed bumps, rough roads and RR track... but also does it very low speeds. Seems more like a body flex squeak. I can roll out of our parking lot and going on to the street at a slow roll it will squeak as you go over the curb area. Does the same going down the street when the surface is uneven and the car "bounces" slightly.

I have read some get a squeak from the windshield.... what I read seems a bit different of a noise but would not rule it out. Thought I would ask here to see if others have tackled this previously.

As always thank you in advance for you time and help.

[joejoethedogfaceboy]

Have you replaced any of the other suspension components yet besides struts? Could be a bushing that is shrinking in the cold weather. On the '04 XC90 I recently got rid of, the passenger strut mount was failing and would only make noise when it was cold. Also, 166K on original suspension components in Dallas is exceptional! The suspension on my (now gone) '04 XC90 was about to fall completely off around 110K miles after driving in Dallas its entire life.

I've not looked into it, but if the dash on the XC90 is anything like the one on the S70, then there might be some bolts running through the firewall from the engine side that you could tighten? Have you sat in the passenger seat and listened while someone else drives?

HTH

-Joe

[Roger_850T]

I would agree with a bushing failing somewhere. Most recently I ran into this with my 850, when my strut-top bushing was failing. You mentioned your struts were done - did they replace the top bearings? There's both the spring seat (which was probably replaced) and the bearing (which may not have been replaced) that can cause this.

Roger