Knock knock, from the top of the struts

Post by **holler1** » 19 Jan 2009, 09:46

Update- I still have a clunk when turning the steering wheel near lock while moving slowly (with the swar bar link removed on the side where the bar end is bad). It seems like more of a clunk than a loud pop as it was earlier but the parking lot where I tried it was snowy. The noise and vibration back through the steering wheel makes me think weight is shifting on the drive wheels suddenly somehow as they turn under load. I would almost think the strut was a little loose where it connects to the hub if I hadn't just checked that. I am going to take down one of the struts next reasonably warm day and take a look at it. I put grease on that side's control arm bump stop but still got the noise on that side.

On the plus side, the ABS/tracs off light went back off after I tightened up electrical connectors at the passenger side wheel. Apparently I had loosened them by all the wheel turning when testing the steering.

larryh · Post by **larryh** » 19 Jan 2009, 18:48

how did you check that strut? did you stick a prybar in there to check it? those bolts need to be super tight.

Post by **holler1** » 19 Jan 2009, 19:37

No, but I'll try that and also try prying around the control arms. Also, I just realized tonight in checking my packing slips from FCP Groton that I may have been "Scanteched". I bought their kit of spring seats and strut mounts because they gave OEM numbers for them, but after checking I think the OEM numbers were just "reference" numbers and the parts were aftermarket, not sure if Scantech or something else. So I'm going to pull the passenger side strut and take a look at the seats and mounts when we have a reasonably warm day. In the meantime I still have to locate a swaybar after I figure out which one fits my car. Thanks for the help.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Jan 2009, 21:15

If your spring seats are shot and you're going to call IPD anyway for the bar and end links, let me suggest you go ahead and buy their new, upgraded spring seats. Either that, or go ahead and buy the XC90 spring seats (OEM). They are much beefier (though still not as beefy as IPD's). I guess you can tell that I really like IPD suspension products!

Post by **holler1** » 20 Jan 2009, 17:04

MIJ,
Thanks. I'll have to check them first to see if they're bad but I think I will get the IPD HD spring seats and OEM mounts. I'm hoping to find that is the problem since I know how to change the struts. I thought I was careful not to get Scantech as I had read the warnings on MVS but apparently not careful enough to read the fine print. On their current page FCP Groton states the mount/seat kit is aftermarket, but I don't think that warning was there when I bought mine.

Post by **holler1** » 22 Jan 2009, 18:22

Trying to stop suspension popping, I removed the passenger side strut today. Here are some pictures. The first one is the entire strut as it came out; second is a closeup on the top; third is the top after loosening the top nut; last is closeup of top after removing the top nut. The last two show that the spring seat is twisted relative to the shaft. I think it means the metal shaft in the spring seat is loose from the outer part of the seat. I have to get a spring compressor to take it apart and make sure this is what is going on. I haven't ordered new seats yet but am planning to get IPD HDs. Any other thoughts? I'm not sure what the spring should look like. It's not symmetrical but I don't know if it's out of spec.

: volvo strut 012209asmall.jpg (232.19 KiB) Viewed 1391 times

: volvo strut 012209bsmall.jpg (215.66 KiB) Viewed 1383 times

: volvo strut 012209csmall.jpg (203.13 KiB) Viewed 1381 times

: volvo strut 012209dsmall.jpg (207.42 KiB) Viewed 1383 times

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Jan 2009, 19:34

it certainly does look twisted (which it shouldn't be). I guess you're really not going to know until you get it out and check it for integrity, but I suspect that the twisting is the result of it being busted.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Jan 2009, 19:43

It doesn't look correct at all. Make sure that the ends of the springs are seated at the end stops on the strut and on the spring seat. Could it be that the spring is upside down?

Here is a picture of mine as I just put it into the spring compressor - note the symmetry.

: DSC02435.JPG (218.36 KiB) Viewed 1400 times

...Lee

Post by **holler1** » 22 Jan 2009, 21:09

Lee,
The springs are seated within 1/4 inch of the stops at bottom and top. When I installed they were closer. Although I agree mine looks very asymmetrical, especially the ones with the top nut off, your photo is taken from a different angle than mine. Mine is from the front of the car, yours is 90 degrees away from that. The bottom spring mount on the strut is very asymmetrical by design and juts out to the outboard side of the car, so the spring has to bend some to go from there and line up on the spring seat (which is also asymmetrical). Your picture is taken from an angle that doesn't show the asymmetry of the bottom mount. I don't believe I put the spring in upside down, and I recall being careful about that, but I suppose it's possible. Do you know of a way to check?

Thanks for the comment. I know you've done a lot of suspension work so I value your opinion.
Larry

Post by **holler1** » 22 Jan 2009, 21:23

Lee,
Here is one I took from almost the same angle as yours when I installed the struts.

: strut from side.jpg (266.56 KiB) Viewed 1319 times

Knock knock, from the top of the struts

Re: Knock knock, from the top of the struts