2017 xc60 suspension click

[Vova585]

In case it might help someone..
2017xc60 R-design abruptly developed loud "click" to the front left upon driving over moderate bumps. Also had a mild "friction noise" with turning, but only when driving over bumps. I was suspecting strut bearing or ball joint by amount of noise it created. To my surprise with lifting left front wheel off the ground and applying force upward with a prybar there was no noise. Ball joint was also noted to be solid via prybar test. No issues with wheelbearing or tierods. Sway bar links had no "clunk" to them when attempted to shake it in the middle of the rod or when moving joints left-right with the pliers. I even lifted right side up and had both wheels of the ground with all the same test and similar findings. I was ready to call it a strut bearing(car has 66k of salt belt) when on vigorous shaking of the sway bar I noted occasional barely noticeable click. I decided to go "turn test" with both front wheel of the ground turning wheel manually with one hand over spring first and second time with hand over sway bar. Sway bar was noted to be "telegraphing" mild vibration with movement. I decided to take a pass of least money and opted to replace sway bar links with Lemforder($23 per one) and it did the trick. For the life of me i was not expecting it to be the issue given original sound and all the "shaking" i was applying to it to test.

[BlackBart]

I find that the sway bar end link is almost always in tension or compression when you test and I can't find any play in it, but it's often there. Would sway bar bushings allow some up-down movement that you're hearing?

[Vova585]

I find that the sway bar end link is almost always in tension or compression when you test and I can't find any play in it, but it's often there. Would sway bar bushings allow some up-down movement that you're hearing?

There were no up-down movements with testing both with wheel on the ground and off. Boots were looking pristine as well.