Knock knock, from the top of the struts

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 16 Jan 2009, 07:14

I've recently changed all the ball joint connections with the exception of the inner tie rods. At 80,000 miles and in frigid weather, the top of the struts knock at every bump in the road. The shocks are acceptable but are a bit long in the tooth, ie. original. Top plates, bushings etc. should be worn out, but at this point, could it only make sense to to change the shocks at the same time, or is there a fix from the top side?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jan 2009, 07:36

There is a 99% chance that the spring seats are broken. The bad news is that the springs need to be compressed to change them so, in terms of labor, it is the same as changing the struts. For the spring seats replace them with OEM XC90 spring seats which fit fine but they are much beefier. They only cost a few dollars more than the standard 850 seats.

...Lee

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 16 Jan 2009, 09:04

Thanks Ozark. I get the impression the strut can stay attached to the hub for the operation. In my group of "the boys", I'm charged about $45/hr, off peak times, in a independent garage. The older owner and I, like to diagnose together, the new technology in cars.

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 16 Jan 2009, 11:47

Ozark Lee knows his stuff. I need to do the same thing. If you look in between the top bushing and the strut tower itself, you should be able to see some lateral movement if you rock the car. Good luck!

Post by **rgrady** » 16 Jan 2009, 15:23

Ozark Lee wrote: For the spring seats replace them with OEM XC90 spring seats which fit fine but they are much beefier. They only cost a few dollars more than the standard 850 seats.

...Lee

Pay particular attention to this recomendation. I installed FCP spring seats, 2 months later replaced them with these because the others failed. Getting real good at removing/replacing struts now.

Post by **holler1** » 16 Jan 2009, 16:10

rgrady,
How did you diagnose the spring seat failure? I replaced my struts, spring seats, strut mounts etc last summer with FCP Groton OEM parts (V70 not XC90). Now I have a "pop" when steering near to lock driving slowly (both sides). It's hard to tell where the noise is coming from. My first thought was inner tie rods but they are fine. Then I thought it was the steering rack but the steering seems very smooth with no noise at all with the wheels jacked up. I tried steering from lock to lock today sitting still with the front wheels on snow, and heard the sound once from the right side, but it would not repeat. It seems to need the forward motion to trigger it and I'm wondering if it could be something in the suspension.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jan 2009, 18:06

I tried steering from lock to lock today sitting still with the front wheels on snow, and heard the sound once from the right side, but it would not repeat.

It could be as simple as greasing the plastic bump stops on the control arm.

...Lee

Post by **holler1** » 16 Jan 2009, 19:05

Ozark,
I'm trying to envision what you mean. Here is the control arm photo from FCP website. I can't see where the bump stop is or how it works. Can you add a little to your comment?

: volvo v70 awd control arm.JPG (26.55 KiB) Viewed 5879 times

When the car was sitting today, I was turning the wheel from lock to lock, and the sudden "pop" occurred when it was near but not at lock on the right side. However, I don't see how it would hit the bump stop if it isn't moving up and down. I'll take a look tomorrow at the actual control arm on the car. It's below zero here but is supposed to warm into the 20s tomorrow.

Post by **rgrady** » 16 Jan 2009, 20:09

Mine was more of a creaking noise from the right side. When I took the spring seat off it had collapsed and was rubbing on the strut mount. It had actually cut a groove into the spring seat from rubbing.
I would try Ozarks suggestion of greasing the stops first. If that does not solve it get an oil can with a long spout and shoot some oil on top of the spring seat. When I did this on mine the creaking stopped so I ordered the "Genuine Volvo" XC90 seats from Volvo of Richardson in Dallas. Creaking gone.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jan 2009, 21:58

Holler1,

On the second picture note the white plastic piece on the side of the control arm. Smear a gob of grease on that part and see if the problem goes away.

...Lee