2005 V70 2.5T front end issues (CV or suspension?) and engine diagnosis

RoVolvo · Post by **RoVolvo** » 06 Sep 2023, 20:10

I’ve been working my way through the an assortment of issues with my V70. It has 208k miles, so it had a lot of issues to look into. So far replaced the front struts/shocks with bilstein kit, rear shocks. Had control arms and end links. New tires, new brake pads. Replaced a lot of the hoses for the brake vacuum line and the vacuum switch. Serpentine belt, compressor, coil covers and spark plugs, flushed transmission several times and changed oil, oil filter, cleaned and replaced throttle body, replaced engine vacuum hose (cracked), and

Right now I know the mounts need to be done, and that’s my next project. 2 issues I wanted advice on, particularly while I have the car lifted and wheels off to install new tie rods. Right after I had new struts and shocks put in, car felt like new again. I then went on a road trip and was driving through Michigan and hit a pot hole. It bent the right rear wheel. I was able to get the wheel repaired, but it became clear that tie rods went from “on my list” to “urgently replace” (some vibrations, steering felt a little loose, an occasional clunk when turning). I did CV test (driving backwards in tight circles) and didn’t hear anything, pull out if parking lot on a tighter turn with slope to flat, and I hear a clear ka-chunk. I took wheel off and could move the tie rod with my hand back and forth, so that was that. After a miserable time getting the old tie rods off, it was clear they were in bad shape. Once I get them off. While they are off I’m moving the wheel back and forth and it has a weird feel to it and, kinda (not smooth) and a weird sound.

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Is my cv joint the issue here? Did my mechanic maybe mess up the strut install?

Other issue: I feel like mileage, engine power and sound has degraded a bit over the last year. It dropped precipitously, had it looked at and they found a cracked vacuum hose and replaced it. Started improving but then started to get worse again. Changed spark plugs and coil covers and it sounded better right after, but then slowly sounds worse again. Sounds better after cleaning throttle, but slowly sounds worse again. I thought it might PCV, but it passes glove test with flying colors. I had my mechanic take a look and he thought pcv was fine, also checked the crank seal. He said my engine has better pressure/seal than his 2017 Nissan truck. I have noticed some black residue on the turbo which maybe there’s an issue around there? I’m getting absolutely no fault codes of any kind. So I just don’t know what to think. I took video of the turbo from underneath. I thought maybe it could be exhaust, but i don’t seen anything obviously wrong with it and neither did my mechanic.

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Anyway, any thoughts would be great. Thanks

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 07 Sep 2023, 10:16

When was the engine air filter last changed? Have you tried cleaning the maf with proper maf cleaner? I cant comment on suspension but my older wagon had a drop off in performance when someone forgot to change the engine air filter for a good long time

Post by **jonesg** » 07 Sep 2023, 11:04

dried up residue on the turbo could be running down from the charge pipe to turbo rubber coupler, they tend to get oily and weep.
ignore it unless the exhaust starts blowing blue smoke or you find oil drips beneath the car.

I suspect the strut top bearing for that chunky movement. Theres probably a simply test but I don't know what it is.
maybe loosen it slightly at the top and see if it changes, just guessing here.
Otherwise I'd start disconnecting components ,recheck for the rough movement, start with tie rod to knuckle, then cv joint to wheel hub.
At some point it will go away.

are you aware the upper 19mm bolt and nut are loose on the knuckle to strut mount .

if theres no codes and it gets you where you're going I'd just drive it, worry creates a lot of phantom "sounds bad".

RoVolvo · Post by **RoVolvo** » 08 Sep 2023, 10:51

yanga001 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2023, 10:16 When was the engine air filter last changed? Have you tried cleaning the maf with proper maf cleaner? I cant comment on suspension but my older wagon had a drop off in performance when someone forgot to change the engine air filter for a good long time

I’m not sure. It looks grey but no large amounts of debris or anything too bad. I just tried to get a new one, but it didn’t fit (same brand and model but it was too thick). I’ll try again.

RoVolvo · Post by **RoVolvo** » 08 Sep 2023, 10:53

jonesg wrote: ↑07 Sep 2023, 11:04 dried up residue on the turbo could be running down from the charge pipe to turbo rubber coupler, they tend to get oily and weep.
ignore it unless the exhaust starts blowing blue smoke or you find oil drips beneath the car.

I suspect the strut top bearing for that chunky movement. Theres probably a simply test but I don't know what it is.
maybe loosen it slightly at the top and see if it changes, just guessing here.
Otherwise I'd start disconnecting components ,recheck for the rough movement, start with tie rod to knuckle, then cv joint to wheel hub.
At some point it will go away.

are you aware the upper 19mm bolt and nut are loose on the knuckle to strut mount .

if theres no codes and it gets you where you're going I'd just drive it, worry creates a lot of phantom "sounds bad".

I’m not aware of said loose bolt. I’m generally concerned about the job the mechanic did on the strut (he didn’t notice the tie rods were shot, and when he did the control arms he didn’t notice the shocks were shot). The tie rods were the last straw for me so I guess I’ll have to find someone else.

As for no code, I think I’m just a little confused how my mileage could drop so far and not have something wrong. Maybe I’ll just have to keep waiting.

Post by **jonesg** » 08 Sep 2023, 15:56

the loose bolt is critical to hold strut to knuckle, you can't drive it like that.
I'd agree you had a klutz of a mechanic.

to solve the mileage problem requires digging deeper , reading fuel trims are a good way.

RoVolvo · Post by **RoVolvo** » 09 Sep 2023, 19:11

jonesg wrote: ↑08 Sep 2023, 15:56 the loose bolt is critical to hold strut to knuckle, you can't drive it like that.
I'd agree you had a klutz of a mechanic.

to solve the mileage problem requires digging deeper , reading fuel trims are a good way.

Okay, I took another look today when I did my engine mounts. I took pictures of the knuckles and let me know if you see something wrong there, I’m not sure I do.

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I also took a video of the sound source, although it doesn’t quite capture it, but there is a creaking noise coming from the top of the strut at the mount. It’s on a lift there so I don’t fully understand how that would affect it, but the angle is questionable to me and they do not seem even. Idk what they did but there is something wrong.

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Also super pissed since it is not the part I agreed to pay for (they put in preloaded duralast, which I would have done myself if that’s what I wanted). I also have a pic of it under load at the bottom.

Last a picture of the mount under load

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Struts/shocks/springs are always something that scare me to work on so I know nothing about their proper installation but judging from other final products this seems very off to me. Happy for any input since I will be questioning my mechanic about it and I expect him to weasel his way out of any complaints.

Post by **jonesg** » 10 Sep 2023, 06:14

the bolts appears to be tight in a clear photo, there was poor light in the first video.

Post by **Blacklab467** » 10 Sep 2023, 21:07

Maybe the strut bearings or spring seats are poor quality? Everything looks ok in your pictures. Can you hear anything when the car is on jack stands and you have someone turning the wheel back and forth? What brand are those strut/spring assemblies?

RoVolvo · Post by **RoVolvo** » 11 Sep 2023, 13:47

Blacklab467 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2023, 21:07 Maybe the strut bearings or spring seats are poor quality? Everything looks ok in your pictures. Can you hear anything when the car is on jack stands and you have someone turning the wheel back and forth? What brand are those strut/spring assemblies?

On jack stands with wheels off, I get a weird creaking noise from the top of the struts. You can hear it in the video I posted