XC90 steering judders and tries to go straight on

[xc90al5]

Hi all

I have an '04 D5 with 250k miles that I love dearly. It has had an intermittent clunk from the front end (side seems to vary), particularly over speed bumds. Recently in multi-storey car parks the front end judders on the tight corners and feels like to wants to go straight. Its a really weird sensation.

I've changed most parts on the front end (struts, tie rods, and the other bits and bobs in that area) over the years I've owned it but I'm not sure any of the parts I've previously replaced are the root cause of the current ailment.

I seem to have green gunk on the passenger front driveshaft, so my thinking was to swap that out for a replacement unit but as that isn't exactly a cheap option I wanted to sound out the community as to whether that sounds like a possible culprit for the symptoms.

Am I barking up the wrong tree?

[xc90al5]

by driveshaft I mean the axle CV rather than the AWD engine/back wheels driveshaft (my 4wd has been 2wd for a long time!)

[Roger_850T]

Things that I would think of with what you described are:
- Upper strut bearing (hopefully you did the bearings when you did the struts)
- Control arm (A-Arm) bushings. (Not sure if that would be included in "bits and bobs" or not)
- Anti roll bar end links - can cause clunking but not necessarily the juddering

Also, depending upon what you put in, the control arm bushings may be in need of another replacement. I've had them last 100k miles (blue box Volvo) down to 11k miles (Meyle). Definitely worth inspecting.

Roger

[chitownV]

The juddering could be several things, but to get it to judder could be the CV axle (driveshaft) or the control arm bushings. Since you are in Belarus, you will want to go with original Volvo bushings as that might be the best option you can get. You can read about which parts last in the XC90 front suspension and which ones don't. https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/chit ... ts.590829/

Here is a short video to show how worn or broken rearward control arm bushings can make the wheel move, perhaps judder, and make a clunking noise. Worn-out rubber control arm bushings can make that juddering or vibration feeling. I replaced my rearward bushings with original Volvo (blue box Volvo) and in less than 35k miles (~56,000 km) they are worn out. The newer rubber compounds are not as durable.

If you brake hard while in a turn and feel the front pull you into the direction of that turn (too much), then your rearward bushings are collapsing. Change both the front and rear control arm bushings. Some people have taken videos of their wheels or bushings as they drive, to see the flex in the bushings.