In my case replacing the upper torque bar on the engine (had obvious play that you could feel with your hand) resolved not just the clunk, but a cold rattle at idle and made the acceleration actually feel more responsive too.
Like Hong Kong, we installed the rubber O rings between the engine sub-frame and the car and we have not had any noises. We had to replace the engine sub-frame bushings for a different reason (a knock due to an improper repair where they reused the bushings from a used sub-frame), and IPD recommended the O rings at the same time, we are glad we did it. I got all new sub-frame bushings, the O rings, new bolts (they are one time use), washers (plastic and metal) from IPD, everything was great.
The clunk we had on our 07 V8 before this was very similar to one we had on a 2005 XC90 V8 that could never be fixed, even under warranty.
The above were both covered under CPO. Interestingly, I went to them with the service bulletin Hong Kong referenced - Volvo (TSB) Technical Service Bulletin: VCC-130664, but they could not find it in their system. Anyone else experience this?
Will see if this is a long term fix, but for now I am very happy not hearing that noise.
So I took mine into the dealer and their tech of 32 years said that the link rods between the anti-roll bar and the suspension had worn out bushings. I went ahead and ordered the "links" as they are called on the site, and I'll post updates after I receive and install them. Below is a site with a good diagram of where they are located. I did not order from this site. I found the same link rods for less on FCPEuro.com
my 08's front suspension started making popping noises when moving at low speed with steering wheel turned after I changed the front control arms (worn out bushings). The problem was fixed after I ordered new bolts/nuts (the single bolt that installs vertically at rear of control arm) and torqued them to the spec. I'm not sure if I hadn't torqued them enough the first time or what, but the service bulletin referenced in this thread says to use new bolts/nuts (they bolt was apparently redesigned to be slightly wider) so I did and it worked. I decided to also replace the sway bar links as they probably are getting worn with 90k miles and they are cheap and easy to replace. Thanks to all the contributors to this thread.
Got the sway links replaced. Sound gone during turning and over bumps, but under initial acceleration (from standstill), the sound is still a slight groan. Replacing the strut mounts and bushings soon.
My XC90 is only 18 months old and I've had noises from the front from about 6 months. It's also been to the dealers but they couldn't find anything wrong. Hey, maybe it's a feature! Anyway, I'm booking it in again because it's getting more noticeable. Creaking/cracking/springy noises usually during low speed maneuvering such as slowing to take a tight turn.
Just to add, I'm reading quite a bit about worn parts and high mileages but should this really be happening on a car that is less than 2 years old and only has 16k on the clock?
I just did the same "repairs" as Hong Kong described earlier in this thread and am very pleased with the results. All clunking and creaking is gone, and the steering feels noticeably more direct. This is on my 2007 V8 with 122k miles.
I did the following:
ipd subframe bushing inserts (got them all in without trimming, but the front two were tricky)
New Volvo white teflon inserts under the subframe bushings (the car already had some--not sure if they were original or installed later, but they were in poor condition)
Together with an oil and filter change, this took me about 3 hours start to finish. I did it with the front wheels on ramps. The driver's side front subframe bolt alone took about 20 minutes to extract due to corrosion, but at least it didn't break. You definitely want to have new bolts on hand for this job.
I did notice that the steering wheel is now very slightly off center, so I will get a fresh alignment. Presumably--despite the bushing guides--the subframe did not go back up at precising the same angle (you have to lower it quite a bit to install the driver's side o-ring).
Did the dealer tell you this? That's what I got with my 2012 XC90, clunking when turning low speed left or right, dealer said, "oh that's normal on these cars". BS
I just started getting a similar issue, and found my culprit tonight. It turned out to be a loose bushing in my newly installed Meyle HD control arms. The front bushing is actually shifting in the control arm socket, as in the whole metal casing that contains the bushing is moving. I don't know if they are supposed to be tack welded in place and it broke, or what the case is for sure. Might be worth checking for others. In my case, the first clue was that the sleeve had shifted to well off from center. Closer inspection showed it was scored from moving around, and video I took with my phone shows that it moves very slightly when you steer back and forth.
Ok my mechanic didnt placed new bolts and now I hear a slightly sound come back. As soon spring come I will change
all 4 bolts, washers and place glue on bolts. Bear in mind that my front right one looking from front of car snap and
they need to drill it out 2 hours hard job. There is on top swimming pool for water accumulating and over the years
rust make problem. Now Im placing also a lot of oil and grease from top on this hole. Under the air engine filter is...
you can spot it easily.
After changing the front control arms and ball joints the front end suspension sounded like change rattling while driving slow over bumps. No sounds during high speed travel. These are the things I fixed:
1. Changed sway bar end links. Quick and inexpensive.
2. Replaced the sway bar bushing with Febest VLSB-XC90F bushings. It is possible to do without dropping subframe, but it is not easy. Bushing can be bought on Amazon for about $11 each. I can do a write up if needed.
3. Replaced lower engine mount and upper torque link on passenger side. This actually made the engine/transmission sound better while accelerating and driving. Inexpensive parts, quick replacement (less than 30 minutes)
After all this, still had the change sound, so I pulled the strut and it looked fine...but I was wrong. The upper suspension coil spring seat (the rubber gasket the coil sits in) had worn through and the coil and remaining coil seat was pressing directly against the strut mount. Not a very long fix (about an hour) if you have changed or worked with struts before. I use two sets of spring compressors for safety and the xc90 springs have to be compressed a little more than others I have worked with.
Now I have a click sound when braking, but this is symptomatic of brake pads moving in the brake pad seat of the caliper. Gonna swap them out with Volvo pads (Ate pads). Hopefully this will rid me of all my front end noises for a few more thousand miles.
Shamefull that VCC didnt fixed this on 2012 models. Shame. I made all this part change in 2014. Now after 4 years very small sound rarely but I decide to purchase new 4 subframe bolts torques properly as on new arms with bushings all bolts was installed new. Only subframe he left old. Wherever any bolt was before torqued its rule to install new one.
Dear folks, I realize that this is a very old thread. But I need you help on how the issue with the grinding noise while braking and turning at lower speeds and especially when coming to a stop (both left and right) got resolved. I have a 2007 XC90 V8. I bought the car new and I’ve had this issue all these years. I still keep the car as I love everything else about the car. It had many visits to the garage. They did very many things.. this issue comes and goes. Now, they suggest to replace both the wishbones. I managed to capture a video.. which I am happy to post here.
I replaced all subframe parts and suspension. Read my post and do like this. I repeat I made this in 2014 now is 2022 and after so many years I get back sound but very small not even close to first original. But you need to change all this parts to get result. If some photos missing as FB is delete links here you can find indipendent Lolvo mechanic (I was on project in UK) that they made nice professional work in 3 days. Generalni remont XC90 VOR u UK Hope that this will help. P.S. If you have also clonk when changing gear in manual mode or slowing down in Automatic from 3th to 2nd trust me its only front joint to change. Cheap 130 Euro part. Put a lot of even more grease that came with part and forget. No more clonk while engaging or slowing down... prop shaft joint. I was so happy to change it as this clonk very strong makes me nervous... Joint, Propeller shaft Universal joint front 31216176 (1071723)
For anyone chasing these noises down, check the metal brace between the strut towers. I thought the dreaded creaking noises from this thread were creeping in for me, but then I inspected that bar and one side was totally loose! I torqued both bolts down and the front end is silent again.
As I changed all subframe engine supports including inserts of IPD blue one in 2014 up to last year everything was perfect. Sound is slightly come back after all these years, but this is normal. I also need to change all subframe bolts as mechanic in 2014 didn't changed but used old one that I don't like it at all. Once torqued bolts need new one. Its time to inspect all subframe as soon spring came.
My 2013 has some weird popping noises when I am coming to a complete stop or even making slow turns. The bulk of the sound is coming from the front passenger wheel area.
I took it to the dealer and they diagnosed it as bad struts. I replaced the struts (and all associated mounts) and the sound remains. Oh, and I've already changed all engine mounts and torque rods, didn't help.
I would wonder if it wasn't a broken coil spring, but I've held those springs in my hands and see no indication that they're broken.
What brand parts did you use? The brand strut mount/bearing, spring seat, and strut.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum
3.9M posts
157K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to Volvo owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!