'00 XC70/AWD - 136K miles

1stVolvo4me · Post by **1stVolvo4me** » 23 Sep 2009, 17:22

Hello,

I just purchased my first Volvo XC70 from an auction two days ago. Understanding where I bought it, I anticipated some repairs might be needed. There's a knocking noise I hear that appear to be coming from the right-front side. I don't hear it when I'm on the highway, but I hear it driving in a slower speed and when I hit a small bump on the road. I dropped it off at my local Volvo dealership last night. I had to call the service department around 2:00 for an update as I haven't heard anything all day. They told me that they're still trying to figure out where that noise is coming from but they suspect that it might be the driveshaft or drive axle. They called me back later and suggested that they keep my car overnight because they can't exactly pinpoint what it is. They went on that they're concerned about my safety and that they don't want me to drive it in that condition. Are they just trying to jack me?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Sep 2009, 17:43

Welcome to MVS,

Are they just trying to jack me?

Likely yes, many Volvo dealership service departments are just plain thieves, I know that my local dealer's parts and service department (Rick Hendrick Superior Volvo) are the princes of thieves. Avoid the dealer service department like the plague if you can. Many Volvo owners are lured to the marque by the reputation for safety and the service department knows that.

From what you describe they should have been able to diagnose it with a drive around the block. My bet is that you have a broken spring seat on the top of the strut assembly. It is a very common problem. If you are at all handy with a wrench we can walk you through most of the repairs that your car will ever need.

If it turns out to be a spring seat and you opt for them to change it insist on having them use an XC90 spring seat. It is much tougher and it fits just fine. It should only cost you a couple of dollars more for the part.

...Lee

Post by **misha** » 23 Sep 2009, 20:21

Ozark Lee wrote:....many Volvo dealership service departments are just plain thieves.....Avoid the dealer service department like the plague if you can....Lee

I'm sure that 98% of Volvo owners can confirm that.I know that very,very well and i thought that they are thieves just in Serbia,but nooooooooo,they are like that all over the world.

Thanks to "them" people are running away from Volvos,with explanation how expensive they are to maintain.

But,in real life things are more different.

People who own Volvos knows what i'm talking about.

1stVolvo4me · Post by **1stVolvo4me** » 24 Sep 2009, 08:00

Thank you for responding! It is now 10:00 a.m. EST and I still have not heard anything about my car! Now I'm beginning that they're deliberately taking things apart so they can come back with a laundry list of repairs for me. Ugh!

In any case, how much do you think it will cost me if they replace the spring seat? By they way, they also told me yesterday that around 139k or 140k, I will need my timing belt replaced. Does that seem accurate?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Sep 2009, 09:36

If you have the hydraulic tensioner that is indeed accurate. The timing belt change interval is 70,000 miles.

It is customary to change the tensioner, the tensioner roller, and the idler roller on every other timing belt change so you will be due for those as well. I also change the water pump at that same interval but many others don't.

...Lee