noise from front end

rtoomey641 · Post by **rtoomey641** » 30 Apr 2018, 10:52

I have an 07 S80 when starting from stop and when turning to back out of a parking spot getting a noise that sounded like strut mount replaced both struts with complete assembly sway bar links and control arms with bushings and ball joints didn't make a difference same noise any ideas?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 04 May 2018, 23:30

Couple of starter questions - when did the noise start - did you have any other work done prior? How many miles? You have serviced most if not all of the front suspension and I will assume everything was torqued correctly.

At this point start looking at your brakes - maybe you have a sticking caliper, from there look at the engine torque bar on top of the engine, then the engine mounts (all of them), next transmission mounts. You can pop the hood, have some one start the car with their foot heavy on the brake and then put it into reverse and look for engine movement then do the same in drive. Maybe give it a little extra gas - you are looking for the engine moving and maybe you will be able to recreate the sound. In an open parking lot - do the same with the hood open and try to recreate the sound while you watch and listen.

If no love there, look at the engine cradle - are the bolts tight or bushings shot? Are you wheel lug bolts tight? After that - you have to look at the rear of the car - recreating the sound in a parking lot may help here. It could be a rear sway bar link.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 05 May 2018, 16:32

Did not see you mention strut bearings or mounts. Particularly the mounts are prone to failure.

rtoomey641 · Post by **rtoomey641** » 05 May 2018, 18:58

New struts and mounts with original springs I think it’s sway bar bushing or maybe inner tie rod it was not as tight as other side

Post by **SuperHerman** » 05 May 2018, 21:54

I thought you replaced the entire strut assembly with a Strut Pack - as I misunderstood - you need to eliminate the Strut bearing. How did these look? If they looked good and moved freely more than likely they are fine.

For sway bar you can get under there and yank on them good to see how much play they have and visually inspect them. Otherwise you can remove the end links on one end - and drive it in the same manner that creates the noise (which is low speed) and see if it still makes the noise. As the sway bar is not connected it should not clunk. Do not drive the car other than slow speed test - you want that sway bar connected.

If you think it is the inner tie rod - give it a serious yank and see if you feel play. I don't understand "not as tight as other side". Do you mean it had play or the bolt wasn't as tight? Either way a good yank, comparing both sides, should reveal excess play.

Otherwise I listed the other things to check in my prior post.

rtoomey641 · Post by **rtoomey641** » 06 May 2018, 10:40

Ok it was a whole assembly but the springs were wrong so I swapped them out

Post by **SuperHerman** » 06 May 2018, 12:22

Based on your last post, I would double check your work. Make sure the spring ends are properly aligned to corresponding top and bottom stop points. Then check the gold colored X bolt and make sure that is properly tightened. You can do this on most Volvos by popping the top cap, getting a channel lock pliers (I have also used a large crescent wrench) and proper size torx bit and see if you can tighten it with the channel lock pliers while holding stationary the torx. (What every you used during install is all you need) Maybe you get lucky and this is your problem on one side.

One other question - if the springs were wrong, how do you know the struts are right?

rtoomey641 · Post by **rtoomey641** » 06 May 2018, 17:58

Springs were about 1/4 inch shorter struts were same length it only makes noise when backing out of parking space it will make noise when turning wheel and when wheel is straight no noise while driving