Front end rattle

[Dave0304XC]

2004 V70, while driving along, brakes not applied I hear a rattle from up front when hitting mild bumps. Most notably with the windows open of course.

It's got new struts up front and a new sway bar link on one side. Nothing seems loose, but if I hit the wheel with a rubber hammer I can hear the rattle. Everything in the front brakes looks correctly assembled. I've tried powering over some bumps with the brakes applied and that seems to quiet it down but ?

Thought maybe I should get a set of new pads, switching them out see if it improves. Or remove the dust shields and do a test drive. Plenty of meat on the pads and No pulse when I brake. Seems kind stupid to spend $ on new pads.

Sounds like a grocery cart of scrap metal going through gravel. 6th Vovo, never had anything like this. Any ideas?

[br0dy519]

Caliper spring is properly installed? Dumb question but i’ve got that wrong before, it’s easy to overlook.

Exhaust heat shields? Are all hangers intact and is your flex pipe in good shape?

Could it be a really bad wheel bearing, or balljoint? I would just start looking for play in all front-end components.

Only rattle I’ve had was due to rear shocks in the s60. It was a really low frequency rattle that was strange. You might need a stethoscope and use the wife as a partner to smack that wheel while you trace the rattle.

[jonesg]

my new end links were rattling.
i put an air impact on my new links and was surprised how much more i was able to tighten the nut after installing with ratchet wrench.
no mo rattles.

[Dave0304XC]

Well the first thing I checked was that spring clip and yes she's on there correctly. It's a sharp crisp rattle sound, not a bumping or a banging sound. Doubt its a ball joint. After I did the struts i hired out an alignment. Seems like The shop would've spotted a toasted ball joint. Seems like a worn C arm would be a clunk clunk sound also. I think I might really examine those sway bar links and also disassemble the brake slide pin's maybe add some brake pad shim tape stuff, at least as a test. The ratting doesn't sound like it's way deep in there, sounds like it's right at the surface. Which is why I suspect brakes.

[jonesg]

I had a courtesy inspection when mine was aligned, they missed the ball joint.
Ball joint was trashed.
Clicking persisted after changing it out and installing new drop links....which turned out to be slightly loose.

[kallekula]

+1 on sway bar end links.

[Blacklab467]

It's usually sway bar end links judging from the sound you describe. Aftermarket end links don't last so make sure your's are OEM Volvo, both sides. Also check the Lower Control Arm for wear, it can contact the subframe metal on metal if its really worn, and finally really worn spring seats and strut bearings can make a lot of noise also if worn. How many miles?

[Dave0304XC]

Car has 107k. I just confirmed the clips are on correctly, BUT if I make a fist and knock firmly on the tire I hear the rattle. If I push lightly on the brake clip with my other hand and knock on the tire the sound goes away. I can get new clips at Napa for about $20 I think im gonna try a couple of new clips. One side has an almost new sway bar link, probably replace the older one, cheap and easy. Getting kinda late in the season to start getting into the control arms. Have to save that for spring. D

[DonnVa]

The front end rattle on my XC70 was the brake pads. Previous owner put the wrong spring clips on them. It let the pads bounce around (in the video).

[deano1]

End links are definitely suspect but also there are different grades of anti rattle wire clip.
Aftermarket no good where this is concerned. Go to dealer or scrounge at scrap yard til you find the heavy gauge wire clips.
cheers
Dean