Suspension noise Topic is solved

d0nahuge · Post by **d0nahuge** » 03 Mar 2020, 19:41

I own a 2007 Volvo S60 2.5t, and my front passenger side wheel is making a clunking and squeaking noise when hitting bumps. I will attach a video with the noise at the end of the post. Not sure what is causing this noise, the noise is loud and happens mostly in neighborhoods (slower speeds). The noise can only be heard when bumps are hit. The tie rods are new and I made sure they were installed correctly. I inspected the suspension on the front passenger side and all the parts dont have any play and theres no grease anywhere, bushings all look good. I might have missed something when I inspected the suspension myself. Let me know what you think the noise could be. My guess is shocks. https://youtu.be/HNVrkdVl1J8

Post by **- Pete -** » 03 Mar 2020, 20:48

I honestly don't hear a squeaking noise, more of a clattering. Something is definitely amiss.

I'd say most likely sway bar end links (1 per side, but do both if replacing just 1), passenger front spring seat and/or top mount plate. Bad sway bar bushings could also be drumming up some noise.

Could also be shocks, but I doubt it. I'd grab your sway bar end links & see if they wiggle easily or have play on either end. Do this with the front end completely in the air or on the ground, not just the left or right side jacked up. The ball joints on either end of each end link take a beating & eventually go out of round & result in a racket.

Speaking of ball joints, have you noticed any steering abnormalities? If so, could be the ball joint in your front control arm and/or control arm bushings.

Post by **oragex** » 03 Mar 2020, 22:51

How many miles ? Pete has already told it all, I would add the brands used is essential on these cars. Have a search on google like "volvo s60 best brands parts forum", youll find plenty of topics. End links and spring seats are common items, try to conserve your old strut mounts as newer ones are doubtful quality. My guess would be the spring seats, as the end links make rather a clunk noise. For the end links, grab them by hand and give a Solid shake near both the upper ans the lower ends. Again, if bringing it to a local garage, bring your own parts frrom Fcpeuro or alike.

d0nahuge · Post by **d0nahuge** » 04 Mar 2020, 06:17

oragex wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 22:51 How many miles ? Pete has already told it all, I would add the brands used is essential on these cars. Have a search on google like "volvo s60 best brands parts forum", youll find plenty of topics. End links and spring seats are common items, try to conserve your old strut mounts as newer ones are doubtful quality. My guess would be the spring seats, as the end links make rather a clunk noise. For the end links, grab them by hand and give a Solid shake near both the upper ans the lower ends. Again, if bringing it to a local garage, bring your own parts frrom Fcpeuro or alike.

My car has 80k miles, and I bought the car with around 74k miles. I would assume all the suspension parts are from the factory except the tie rods which were replaced recently. I checked the sway bar links for play and they did not move. I only had the passenger side jacked up when testing, but like Pete said, I should put the cars front end up completely off the ground then test. There is a little bit of cracking on the sway bar bushings, which could contribute to the noise.

d0nahuge · Post by **d0nahuge** » 04 Mar 2020, 06:26

- Pete - wrote: ↑03 Mar 2020, 20:48 I honestly don't hear a squeaking noise, more of a clattering. Something is definitely amiss.

I'd say most likely sway bar end links (1 per side, but do both if replacing just 1), passenger front spring seat and/or top mount plate. Bad sway bar bushings could also be drumming up some noise.

Could also be shocks, but I doubt it. I'd grab your sway bar end links & see if they wiggle easily or have play on either end. Do this with the front end completely in the air or on the ground, not just the left or right side jacked up. The ball joints on either end of each end link take a beating & eventually go out of round & result in a racket.

Speaking of ball joints, have you noticed any steering abnormalities? If so, could be the ball joint in your front control arm and/or control arm bushings.

I have not seen any steering abnormalities. I have seen videos online showing noise when turning the wheel without moving which I have not seen. I tested the ball joints and there was no play. I'll do a redo of the sway bar link test with the whole front side up, I only had one side up when testing.

Post by **- Pete -** » 04 Mar 2020, 07:40

You will not get an accurate idea if the end links are bad with only one side of the car off the ground. Has to be entire front/rear or entire car off the ground, not left or right.
With only one side in the air the sway bar is putting tension on the end link that is in the air so it will “feel tight”.

I personally wouldn’t worry about the sway bar bushings. They are captive to the sway bar and essentially you must replace the entire bar to lay waste to worn out bushings. Grease em up real good and forget about em.

Post by **oragex** » 04 Mar 2020, 07:41

80K is quite low miles. Are the local roads very poor ?

d0nahuge · Post by **d0nahuge** » 04 Mar 2020, 09:22

oragex wrote: ↑04 Mar 2020, 07:41 80K is quite low miles. Are the local roads very poor ?

Yeah, there are a lot of pot holes around here. Not sure if the previous owner had major damage from an accident that caused any suspension damage.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 04 Mar 2020, 09:36

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Could be a strut bushing?

d0nahuge · Post by **d0nahuge** » 04 Mar 2020, 14:39

I lifted my car with both sides up and looked at the suspension again. I did not see any play with the sway bar link. Should I go ahead and order some new sway bar links? This user posted a video with the exact same noise I heard and they found out it was the sway bar link (viewtopic.php?f=10&t=87890).