Groan/catching sound while turning - mechanic says rubbing strut springs

[MoVolvos]

Thanks for that analysis. I'll post back here when I check out the old suspension

After I inspected the motor mount I tried to make sure it was set in straight and torqued well. It seems like the sound is a little more quiet, but it could be a red herring

It's more work but when the mount went bad on my former 98 S70 T5 I tested by putting a rubber hose on the bottom (3) of the mount to see if the noise went away. If you like you can also wedge a hose cut in half to isolate the mount from moving (1 & 2). Since the noise is not obvious it might be worth a try even though the mount looks Ok.
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Front Engine Mount.png (1.49 MiB) Viewed 706 times

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[smacknab]

Hi again, sorry I've been busy with life and have just been living with the sound. But it's starting to get a bit embarrassing haha the noise is very loud in a parking garage.

Yesterday I had the car parallel to a curb and had my lady pull forward and backward left and right while I was crouched next to the right wheel. The spring and strut assembly do not torque, twist pop or anything else when pulling forward or reverse. I checked again and there's plenty of clearance from the strut spring to the body with the wheels straight, full lock or otherwise.

I'm starting to think it might be the CV axle. The outer boot is missing a band on the inner side of the axle so it's possible that water has gotten in or grease has gotten out? Again the sound only happens with the clutch engaged while turning, especially while accelerating. If I'm coasting through a turn with my foot off the gas it will make the sound but if I push the clutch pedal in it goes away. Is that a symptom of a bad CV axle? Or is the clutch engaged putting enough force to shift the control arm? Or even a subframe bushing?

That fact that the sound is so dependent on the clutch being engaged is leading me towards CV axle. It's been mostly fine driving, maybe a little squirly on the highway in windy conditions. The Volvo Indy that checked it out said a CV axle could shear at high speeds, which sounds dangerous so I'm trying recommit myself to solving the issue.

[smacknab]

Update: it was just the CV Axle, replaced and sound is gone