1996 Volvo960 Clunking Noise when turning left

[Volvo Family]

I hear a loud clunking coming from what I believe is the front left side. This occurs when:
Makig a left turn into my drive way which has a very small incline
Reversing from my drive way while turning the wheels towards the right.
I also noticed that entering parking lots with a small incline or going over speed bumps must be done with care to avoid scraping the bottom.

It was suggested that the struts and shocks needed to be replaced.
A former Volvo Dealer mechanic disagreed on the basis of a visual inspection on the lift and that the car did not bounce. The rear control arm bushings were replaced four months ago based on this recommendation. There was a noted improvement afterwards.

We drove the car half across the country two months ago. A month ago this clunking noise returned more notable than before. We found a Volvo Dealer in the area to check car. They said my suspension was good. They recommend that we replace all three engine mounts as a place "to start". They quoted a very high price so we decided to compare shop.

We visited a European mechanic shop today. This mechanic did not believe the source to be the engine mounts because there was no sign of vibration from the engine or from within the car. Rather he believes that the lower control arms, the lower control arm bushings (again), front struts, strut mounts, and rear shocks be replaced.

I have read from this forum of similar clunking sounds due to the stabilizer bar. My car has 135,000 miles on it and has been well cared for. I am lacking conviction in what course of action to pursue since I have conflicting opinions. Any suggestions? The car rides smooth on the highway and the brake system was inspected two months ago as sound: tires are relatively new and are rotated regularly

[MoVolvos]

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Being no one saw grease from a broken CV boot it could just be a Spring Seat and FYI bad struts can not always be determined by the bounce test unfortunatley as with my car. I recently found this out when I replaced all 4 (struts and shocks). If you had the same or similiar noise before the control arm bushing it may be that again?

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=47158

Blessings,
BKM
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[Volvo Family]

Thank you for your input BKM
We checked the CV Boot(s). No leaking and the boot (the rubber sleeve) is still in tact.
I continue to welcome your ideas

[MoVolvos]

Thank you for your input BKM
We checked the CV Boot(s). No leaking and the boot (the rubber sleeve) is still in tact.
I continue to welcome your ideas

Hi Volvo Family can you describe the clunking Noise some more?

"Reversing from my drive way while turning the wheels towards the right."
1) So it makes the noise regardless which way you turn?

"I also noticed that entering parking lots with a small incline or going over speed bumps must be done with care to avoid scraping the bottom."
2) Do you mean the car will bounce and scrape the bottom?

If you answer YES to both 1 and 2 your Struts maybe out along with the Spring Seats. Both mine DID NOT Fail the bounce test but off the car and disassembled when the Strut is laying on the ground it will withdrawn into the Strut body at such a small angle. You can push it in easily with your hand but difficult to pull back up. It you are going over a speed bump the tire goes up and bottoms out the car and then rebounds fine it is likely the Strut where as the clunk could be the bad Spring Seat.

Check out the video for Spring Seat. It doe not have to be that bad to be bad.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=32973

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... -4-months/

Again for your reference
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 8&start=14

Blessings,
BKM
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[Volvo Family]

Thank you BKM.

We are going with the second opinion. We will replace Control Arms, Struts, and Strut Mounts. Is the Sprint Seat the "Coil" that houses the strut? If you could provide a visual of it I would be much appreciative.