V70 FWD occasional front suspension noise?

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 02 Nov 2021, 01:19

Hello,

I get occasional twang or knock from my V70 FWD when going over speed bumps or hitting dips in the road. Strange because the entire front end is new within the last 8k miles apart from the ARB bushes and springs.

It tends to happen more if I have parked with one side of the car up on a kerb (street parking in UK is often like this) but after a while it tends to settle down.

There is no play in either of the front wheels when jacked up.

Any ideas, or do these cars just make the odd noise now and then as they are so front end heavy?

Thanks

Post by **Blacklab467** » 02 Nov 2021, 06:14

If everything is new I might suggest the strut spring seats or strut bearings, look for a video on how to check these. What kind of parts did you put in your front end, what brand?

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 02 Nov 2021, 08:06

The top mount / spring seats are Febi and the bearing bit which bolts to the shock towers are KYB.

I might whizz the top nut off and check that the star / cross nut is fully tight, but I am sure that they are

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 02 Nov 2021, 11:02

Well I took the top nut off the struts and it appeared that the star nut on the RHS was not properly tightened up. I seem to remember them being awkward to tighten when I rebuilt the struts on the floor.

Anyway, i tightened both sides up and have been for a test drive and all seems well and the annoying rattle has gone.

Also put new Volvo spark plugs in and it seems to be running smoother!

Post by **Blacklab467** » 02 Nov 2021, 11:33

That's a good feeling when you can actually find a problem and fix it right away! Those Volvo spark plugs also make a big difference.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Nov 2021, 20:15

Willber wrote: ↑02 Nov 2021, 11:02 Well I took the top nut off the struts and it appeared that the star nut on the RHS was not properly tightened up. I seem to remember them being awkward to tighten when I rebuilt the struts on the floor.

Anyway, i tightened both sides up and have been for a test drive and all seems well and the annoying rattle has gone.

Also put new Volvo spark plugs in and it seems to be running smoother!

I agree with Blacklab467 - nicely done!

Willber · Post by **Willber** » 03 Nov 2021, 01:07

Thanks both. It is quite surprising how much affect a tiny bit of play in the suspension can have! It feels so much more solid and smooth now.

I am going to pay some attention to the rear suspension next. The shocks are recent within the last 30k miles but I may put new ones on along with new top mounts, although I have read the top mounts usually do not wear much. I feel at 153k miles it wont hurt to replace them!

I have a slight knock occasionally but I have already changed the drop links. The trailing arm bushes do not look split either.
I think my car has not had a hard life or ever had much weight in the back as the rear seats and load area look untouched...