Clunk in the front end

alwood2 · Post by **alwood2** » 11 Feb 2009, 15:26

XC70 2004
Have a clunk in the front when going over bumps. Had the tie rod ends and front end aligned by Volvo dealer. (53K) Reduced the clunk but did not eliminate. Replaced the sway bar links myself but still did not eliminate the clunk. Clunk seems to be greater in cold temps (20 F).
Can feel the clunk in the floor board. Takes only a small bump to cause the clunk.
Purchased the car used with 48k. The dealer that did the tie rod ends had serviced the car since it was new. One owner only.
What next?

howardc64 · Post by **howardc64** » 11 Feb 2009, 18:59

Spring seat failure is common... Even some cracks there causes noises over the bumps.

Some people say if you can turn the bolt easily on top of the strut then it is cracked.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... try1334188

I have had noise before without the center being fully cracked. You would need to remove the whole strut AND take out the spring seat to inspect for this.

If you have removed the axle bolt without retorquing it properly, then that a possibility as well.

alwood2 · Post by **alwood2** » 12 Feb 2009, 18:29

Cannot turn nut on top of strut. Would cracks in the spring seat be affected by cold temps. ?

howardc64 · Post by **howardc64** » 12 Feb 2009, 21:47

alwood2 wrote:Would cracks in the spring seat be affected by cold temps. ?

Yes. My V70 T5's made different sounds depending on temp it seems. My XC70 makes squeaky sounds going over bumps now. It def changes with temps. I'm pretty sure its the spring seat.