Preverbal Front Suspension Rattle

Post by **velorider** » 08 Jun 2010, 23:03

My wife's S60 has developed a clunk/rattle in the front suspension. I removed the wheels today to inspect all the suspensions components.

The most common cause of front end rattle on the P2 are the spring seats, everything looked fine with them. No rotation when I grabbed the top of the seat under the hood. Visually inspecting the seat from below everything seems tight and undamaged.

The only component that exhibit a noise was the tie rod. The outer tie rod appeared fine, but when wiggling the tie rod the inner tie rod seems to make a clucking noise inside the boot. The sound is a metal on metal thunk noise but because of the boot I can't easily inspect them.

I'm hoping someone had similar noise and/or issue with the inner tie rod and can provide some insight into what I am hearing when I wiggle them.

Thanks
John

Boot1950 · Post by **Boot1950** » 10 Jun 2010, 04:18

G'day!
I have exactly the same problem with my 2001 V70. I just spoke to the mechanic a few moments ago and it's driving him nuts. He's had the suspension apart and replaced the top bushes and is just about to have another go. Everything feels tight and when he hits some bumps on the test drive it sounds sweet but on others it sounds like you've trapped a plank of wood under the passenger seast (UK RH Drive) and it's bouncing off the underside. It's actually quite a disturbing noise ~ one which would make you want to pull over. We've looked at the exhaust and repaired broken brackets and James is just about to put the car up on the ramp again and have another go to see if he can find anything loose. In all other aspects it's a brilliant car ~ done over 200,000 miles without any engine problems at all.
I'll let you know whether he finds anything but if anyone has any suggestions they would be most gratefully received.
Thanks
Boot

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 10 Jun 2010, 05:02

The most obvious bits involved in a front end rattle are the swaybar end links. Also the most common. Have you checked those?

Cheers,

Bill

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 10 Jun 2010, 19:02

+1 on the swaybar endlinks. I have been down this road a few time with different cars and the endlinks always seemed to be the issue. They can be bad even if the boot is not ripped.

Post by **velorider** » 11 Jun 2010, 02:30

I've ordered both inner and outer tie rod and end links from FCP Groton, parts arrive Tuesdays. I'll replace the tie rods, then end links. Hopefully, one of these will resolve the rattle. I'll post what the outcome is!

John

Post by **igel513** » 12 Jun 2010, 07:28

I checked on MSN.com/used cars/reliability ratings and they say these models have a consistent prob on the lower control arm bushings..My 03 S60 also has that clunking sound in the front suspension chkd yesterday and sure enough, those bushings looked bad. Called the dealer and they wanted $103 for the front and 59 for the rear bushings (thats only for the front lowr arm bushing)
Highway robbery?

Post by **velorider** » 19 Jun 2010, 23:48

Installed the end links and outer tie rods today. The rattle was the outer tie rods. Both where a piece of cake. An easy repair for high mileage cars.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to replace the inner because I wasn't comfortable torquing on it with a pipe wrench like the instructions found elsewhere here suggest. The official steps require a special tool to prevent torquing gears inside the rack. My plan was to use the Harbor Freight Inner Tie Rod tool and use a strap wrench for counter torquing. The tie rod tool wouldn't fit because the clips where to fat, the plastic sleeve on the rack interfered. The clips needed to be thinner to work. I also couldn't get a good hold with the strap wrench.

I still want to replace the inner tie rod, does anyone have any suggesting for getting it off?

Note:
The control arm bushing are notorious on these cars. I had to replace those a few thousand miles ago. I should have mentioned that in the original post.

Thanks
John

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 20 Jun 2010, 05:59

For the inner tie rods, go ahead and use a small pipe wrench. Just be careful where you place it and you will be fine. They aren't torqued down that much (at least not on mine) and if you put it in the right spot any marks made by the wrench are on the bit you are chucking anyway. On mine, I didn't leave any marks at all as the steel on the tie rod was harder than that used on the jaws of my wrench.

Cheers,

Bill