Creaking, Groaning and Moaning From Front Struts

[Doc67]

I have had a moaning and groaning issue from the front struts on my 2008 XC70 for a while now. From what I had read, this can be caused by the strut mounts. So, while I was taking the struts out to do the mounts, I figured that I may as well do the ball joints, tie rods and sway links. Needless to say, it was a fun Sunday for me. Got everything back together and much to my shock, the creaking was still there.

After a bit more investigation, I found that the headlight leveler linkages were seized and causing the issue. The way that they are mounted, amplifies the sound to make it seem a lost worse than it actually is. I pulled both sides out and spent an hour with penetrating fluid and white lithium lube getting them smoothish again. I would like to have put new ones in, but the linkages are not available alone and Volvo wants a car payment per side for new ones that include the sensors.

Now the car feels like brand new again.

After several shots of nice scotch and picking up all of the tools that were tossed around my shop (literally), my blood pressure has returned to normal....