P80 Rear Suspension Noises...

[Eddystone]

Just replaced two broken trailing arm bushings in the back of my 1998 V70. Not too horrible. In hindsight.

Now, in my 99 S70 T5, I am hearing another sound in the back. (EVERYTHING is out of the trunk, by the way.) Primarily when I suddenly accelerate, I hear a small but definite CHUNK sound which almost sounds as if a spring is moving. I jacked the car up, and the trailing arm bushings on both sides seem to be okay. They are not broken and are pretty hard to lever around with a big screwdriver. Rubber bushings seem fine.

Shocks are not loose or leaking. The look old, and I have a couple of replacements to install. It has sounded a bit as if the driver side rear is bottoming out on bad roads once in a while. Seems unlikely, but it sort of BONGS like that. The rubber spring bumpers are present but in bad shape. Also have replacements for those.

So. I looked as closely as I could at the delta links and saw no obvious problems. I levered them around, and they seem tight. Could they be causing this clunk?

Now, this was all done with the car up on jack stands with the tires off and hubs hanging down.

I'm thinking I will replace the rear shocks and the rubber bump stops on general principles and see if there's anything wonky with the springs. I suppose it could be the upper shock mounts, but I don't think so.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice?

[Chuck W]

Could be one of the upper shock mounts is toasted, but you can't tell with the weight of the suspension hanging on it.

Also could be a bad shock.

[MoVolvos]

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Might be a bit messy but systematically spray lubricant on the moving parts and bushing areas and see if the noise subsides. One part or two of the same on each side at a time. Will take a few but could flush out or away the noise and you'll know.

I do this for under the hood squeaks also but with water on belts, bearings etc... Less messy.

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[Eddystone]

Could be one of the upper shock mounts is toasted, but you can't tell with the weight of the suspension hanging on it.

Also could be a bad shock.

Seems likely. I have the shocks, but not new mounts. I'll look at the mounts and see if I can see a problem. Might just replace them. Car is just about to hit 160k.

[MoVolvos]

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Difficult to know what clunk means but could be the shock dust shield bumping against shock body if it is shielded in that way. The 19 Altas we used to own, brother's now, had a clucking noise from the right suspension. Forum members said dealers were replacing mounts to entire strut assemblies but it turned out for ours it was a loose accordion boot which is made from hard plastic. VW going cheap! Just had to re-seated the boot and noise gone.

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[abscate]

There is a spring seat at the bottom that gets loose. 16 or 18 mm wrench. Make sure the guide pin is inthe hole. If it is loose, back it off, wire brush m antiseize it heavily , reinstall.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=85762

[erikv11]

I don't think its the upper shock mount but would definitely check those because it is so easy to check (look at them from the top) and it is very common for them to fail. You can expect approximately two sets of mounts for every one set of rear shocks.

[Eddystone]

I don't think its the upper shock mount but would definitely check those because it is so easy to check (look at them from the top) and it is very common for them to fail. You can expect approximately two sets of mounts for every one set of rear shocks.

I have a couple of new shocks, and I ordered a couple of mounts. I also have a pair of rear bump stops, so I think I will follow Abscate's suggestion and clean and inspect the rear springs in the process.

Another thread here because the one thing I try to avoid is any rubber from China, and it seems as if they are all from China or origin unspecified. The Meyle say China. Sachs are $28 each and I'm thinking Turkey. I ordered KYB SM5220 from Amazon for $18.50 each and they are supposedly from Germany. KYBs are free second day delivery on Friday with Prime vs as much as $17.00 shipping from some suppliers. The shocks I have are KYB made in Japan. One Volvo specialist I checked doesn't even specify a manufacturer much less a country of origin.

In the end, these are not very expensive or crucial parts, but it sure is hard to know what you are buying these days.

[MoVolvos]

I don't think its the upper shock mount but would definitely check those because it is so easy to check (look at them from the top) and it is very common for them to fail. You can expect approximately two sets of mounts for every one set of rear shocks.

The shocks I have are KYB made in Japan. One Volvo specialist I checked doesn't even specify a manufacturer much less a country of origin.

In the end, these are not very expensive or crucial parts, but it sure is hard to know what you are buying these days.

Looks like the shocks are still Made In Japan. My last set in 03 for a 95 Plymouth Grand Voyager were Japan and front struts Mexico. The rear shocks were exceptional. One of the new struts seemed to have no rebound / less gas so had to get another new unit. Replaced the entire/complete front strut assembly a year or so ago on the 03 S80 T6 and the numbers indicated KYB's .

I've had good experience with a set of Gabriels complete strut fronts, spring and all, and rear shocks on a 98 S70 T5.

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[erikv11]

For rear shock mounts I buy Hutchinson or Volvo branded. AutohausAZ still sells the Hutchinson, maybe other places do too. I don't know where they are made now.