[Needsdecaf]

So, here's the story. I developed a groan / creak in my passenger's front suspension that appeared mysteriously and disappeared as quickly as it came. The history:

Friday, drove the car to and from work. All normal. Did not take the car out that night as it needed gas.

Saturday: pulled the car out for a thorough bath. Went out Saturday evening to put gas in it and run errands and I'm starting to wonder what that strange noise is. We had the windows up and the A/C on, so it was largely inaudible, but I turned off the radio and listened. Sure enough, there was a fairly loud groan / creak coming from someplace in the front end. It was loud enough for the wife to say, "yeah, what is THAT?"

Got the car home and did the old "suspension bounce test" on both sides of the front end. The passenger side creaked horribly on pushing it down, sounded like something was binding. Or worse like the wheel was loose (I checked, it wasn't).

Sunday morning: walk out to the garage to get the paper and bounce the front end again: nothing.

Monday: to work in the pouring rain, listening, still quiet.

'04 V70R.

82k miles.

End links are stock, but were replaced around 50k miles or so (can't remember exactly when). Spring seats were replaced at the same time.

Thoughts?

 

[chinaonnitrous1]

Actually, i'm having that issue.

Sounds like a nail against a chalkboard, but not as bad.

 

[T5 for Life]

Re: (chinaonnitrous1)

I'm getting something similar as well, which also manifests as a "chirp" sometimes over jarring bumps.

Last time this happened was on my T5, and it turned out to be bad spring seats. I don' think the end links make that kind of noise, it's more clunking, and I don't think a bad wheel bearing would make itself known by suspension movement. I guess it could also be the control arm bushings as well?

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: (T5 for Life)

This definitely does not sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. Sounded like a heavy person getting into or out of a cheap bed.

Forgot to mention that the control arm bushings on that side are brand new.

And definitely not a wheel bearing.

Thanks guys!

 

[chinaonnitrous1]

Chirp on impacts/movement , bed creaking, nails on chalk board going back and forth..

All seem pretty similar.

I have Powerflex Control arm bushings, new end links, Im thinking its the spring seat.

 

[PhilUp]

Re: Groan / Creak from front suspension (Needsdecaf)

I have this sound in my left rear suspension. Turns out that spring doesn't quite sit right and rubs against something in there. I have to lube it with Li grease once in awhile. I would also check the spring seat too.

 

[T5 for Life]

Re: (Needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by Needsdecaf »

This definitely does not sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. Sounded like a heavy person getting into or out of a cheap bed.

Now THAT's funny! but it describes the sound perfectly.

After reading a few responses, and with past experience, it does indeed sound like the spring seat.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: (T5 for Life)

I know spring seats are a wear item, but 30k miles? Damn.

Glad I'm still under warranty.

 

[MightyQ]

Re: (Needsdecaf)

Got the same problem going on here. Mine started to develop about a month ago, except I can't bounce check mine to get it to reproduce the sound. Sound went away this weekend but back again on the way to work this morning. Might have to purchase a set of HD spring seats.

Quote, originally posted by IPD Website »

We often get calls from Volvo owners about knocks, squeaks, rattles and clunks. Common failures that can create these noises are worn out upper front spring seats or worn out upper rear shock mounts. Volvo front wheel drive models commonly develop a clunk in the front suspension that can be caused by worn out upper spring seats. This can occur in some models with as few as 30K miles and can be perpetuated by performance springs and shocks.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: (MightyQ)

Stopped by the dealer today on the way back from a meeting as the car was making the noise.

The "R Whisperer" Tech crawled under the car as I bounced the front end and grabbed various suspension components and mounts to see where he thought the noise was coming from (that had to have been HOT!!)

His diagnosis was the sway bar mounts, not at the end links, but to the chassis.

I have IPD track spec sways, how hard is this to unbolt, grease, and re-bolt? What kind of grease would I use? Anyone have the install guide online?

I did not install the sways myself and they've been on a while (gotta be 2 years now) with no issue. I have to change the oil soon so I'll be jacking up the car anyway. I have a VIP warranty but it's got a $50 deduct and I don't feel like hearing "these are aftermarket sways" and getting charged an hour or so's labor.

Thanks!

 

[JRL]

Re: (Needsdecaf)

Should be a 10 minute job ON A LIFT.
I have some great stuff but you can't have any

and it's impossible to find.
I bought 3 tubes 10-15 years ago, I'm on my last one.
Dow compound #4
Originally a clear electrical dylectic grease, it doesn't breakdown and it's INCREDIBLE for squeaks

 

[Svensk R]

Re: (Needsdecaf)

I think you would have to lower the subframe to have access to the mounts, but I'm not sure. I have a PDF copy of installation instructions. Send me your e-mail address and I will send the instructions to you.

As for the grease, I would use AquaShield marine grease.

http://www.aogrepairs.com/index.php?id=95

 

[mjaffe]

Re: (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

Dow compound #4 Originally a clear electrical dylectic grease, it doesn't breakdown and it's INCREDIBLE for squeaks

This stuff?

http://www.drillspot.com/produ...pound

Cheaper here...

http://www.acilube.com/dowco4elinco.html

Modified by mjaffe at 7:00 PM 7-9-2009

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

Should be a 10 minute job ON A LIFT. I have some great stuff but you can't have any and it's impossible to find. I bought 3 tubes 10-15 years ago, I'm on my last one. Dow compound #4 Originally a clear electrical dylectic grease, it doesn't breakdown and it's INCREDIBLE for squeaks

Oh you're the best Jim.

Thanks for the tip. I will have to order some!

 

[Farbon Ciber5]

Re: Groan / Creak from front suspension (Needsdecaf)

I am willing to bet that the spring seats cracked. I think you can actually test it by opening the hood and see if you can turn the bolt atop each spring. If it turns freely then you likely have a crack.

I know this because I just had to have both of mine replaced

My car would make the sound usually after the car sat all day then seemed to disappear,but that was not always the case either

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Groan / Creak from front suspension (Farbon Ciber5)

Quote, originally posted by Farbon Ciber5 »

I am willing to bet that the spring seats cracked. I think you can actually test it by opening the hood and see if you can turn the bolt atop each spring. If it turns freely then you likely have a crack. I know this because I just had to have both of mine replaced My car would make the sound usually after the car sat all day then seemed to disappear,but that was not always the case either

My spring seats are less than 30k old. And it does it on both sides.

 

[Farbon Ciber5]

Re: Groan / Creak from front suspension (Needsdecaf)

both of mine broke. I think it was like $300+ to fix them

I am actually worried it will happen again as they did not look all that strong

 

[volvodrummer]

Re: Groan / Creak from front suspension (Needsdecaf)

Ok. here's me 2 cents laddy!
1. DO pull off the plastic caps that cover the nuts on top of the strut pistons and use a 21mm ish wrench to twist the nuts clockwise. If the wrench "springs" back at you your spring seats are fine. If they do not return to starting position or you can keep turning them all the way, they're shot. I don't think this is your problem though.
2. I've seen IPD sway bushing failure. In my experience you do not get a sound like yours, but rather it sounds like you have worn link rod over road imperfections-thud-thud-thud etc.. I removed the link from the bar (please make sure that BOTH front wheels are OFF THE GROUND otherwise the bar will be under tension and you'll mash your hands) one time and the bar actually wiggled around in the bushing without a linkrod attached.
3. It might be time for replacing the strut bearing swivel plates. I've had one go on my car and it squeaked off and on like you describe. To confirm, with car in park and hood open, listen for creaking noise a you have friend turn steering wheel back and forth. If squeaks, spray any multi-purp. lube down around bearing and see if noise goes away.
Hope this helps and good luck!