'04 XC70 -- Creaky Front End, 162 K Miles

Post by **E Showell** » 22 Feb 2019, 16:12

Front end on Ruby Red (original suspension except struts and ancillary hardware (mounts, nuts, etc) were replaced) is creaking badly. Mostly noticeable at low speeds over bumpy roads. Before I got It, I knew some suspension work was in the cards. Sway bar end links and lower control arms? Struts are recent. Ball joints? (I'm not noticing any steering issues).

Post by **abscate** » 22 Feb 2019, 19:02

How many miles are in Ruby?

Average roads mean about 125k life on control arms

Post by **E Showell** » 22 Feb 2019, 19:53

162 K

Post by **abscate** » 22 Feb 2019, 23:38

I’ll bring my tools on the 27th

Post by **850 LPT** » 23 Feb 2019, 07:38

abscate wrote: ↑22 Feb 2019, 19:02 How many miles are in Ruby?

Average roads mean about 125k life on control arms

Not sure if the roads in the Northeast would be considered average.
I would personally downgrade this to 100k, worse the closer you get to NYC.

It's a fun mind game trying to memorize all the craters that are popping up around here

Post by **SuperHerman** » 23 Feb 2019, 16:47

Most common causes of front end "creak" are the 1) suspension mount busings; and 2) the bearing on the steering column pre-fire wall. Next place I would look are the strut bearings.

Other items are usually a "clunk" or "slop/play" feeling.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Feb 2019, 06:08

Wizechatmgr and I played the “ test the strut bolts “ games yesterday on two 99s

13/16 socket ( not quite right size?) on top strut nut, wit her wrist pressure only, the nut should be rubbery springy Tom torque. If it turns and does not return to original position, springs seat is broken.