I recently started hearing a CLUNK when I run over bumps. (72k miles) It's only when I run over a bump with the right front suspension that I hear it. It started about a week ago and it seems to be getting worse. Handling and ride quality seems to be unaffected so far. Occasionally it does seem pull a little to the left, but that might just be my imagination. I haven't been able to climb under the car yet and look around, (It's raining and I don't have a garage) but any ideas or things to look for would be appreciated.

Any suggestions. I admit that I am looking for a reason to replace the stock struts with Bilsteins from IPD, but I would hate to do it and find out that it didn't solve the problem. Any other suggestions on things to replace?

Nathan

I had asimilar problem with my 855 Turbo. I ended up replacing the caliper pad retention springs on both front calipers. This took care of it, and it was fairly easy. I got the springs from my local dealer. Good Luck.

Larry

My clunck started after putting in Bilsteins (from shox.com for 400 bucks all the way around) I suspect it is the upper shock mount which I did not replace as my trusted dealership service manager said he'd not seen any go bad. I did the work myself then paid for a good alignment. Pretty easy job.

claude

94 855M 230k mi

bilsteins installed at 192,000 miles

rides like a tractor!

I had the same problem that just so happened after I rebuilt the driver's side half shaft. Well, needless to say, I thought that that was the culprit. Nope. Then, the sway bar end links. Nope. Then the A arm bushings. Nope. Finally, I replaced the front upper strut mounts, which were cracked on both sides, and the strut bearings. There was some slop in them but probably could have kept the old ones. I just thought what the hell, I'll go ahead and change them while I had the struts out and needed an alignment and I replaced the entire front end anyhow. Oh well. I ordered all of my parts on line from carparts.com, GAPA.com, IPDusa.com, etc. etc. For all of the parts I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of 350. Well, I've got some piece of mind knowing that I won't have to address the front end for another 80k miles.

Good luck,

Jay.

P.S. Go ahead just change it all out. Just kidding.

Interesting that you bring this up now. I just had the Bilstiens installed (front and rear), along with the front IPD anti-sway bar, and now I have the sound you describe. Right front only. The really weird thing is that it kind of "knocks" or "clunks" during slow manuevers (climbing over the driveway curb or turning) for a few minutes when the car is cold. Once it warms up, it only "clunks" when I catch a sharp bump with the right front tire. Any of the experts have any further opinions before I go back and revisit the installer?

I have exactly the symptoms you describe. I added the IPD bars 4 years ago and my Volvo dealer has recently replaced the stabilizer bar end links (warranty) a tie rod (warranty) and RF strut (warranty). No change. Volvo dealer finally said it's the IPD bushings. I looked at them and I have my doubts, but I'm going back to my IPD installer on Thursday, so we'll find out.

-Groundhog

Check out the anti-roll bar endlinks as well as the upper and lower strut mounts - these two areas are common causes for "clunks" and "rattles."

Hello Nathen,

It could also be a broken upper shock mount. I recently had a similar sound and that was the culprit.

Kirk

I have seen alot of 850's around the same milage with this problem.. There is two solutions.. if it sounds like a popping sound its most likely the sway bar link which can be checked by pulling back & forth to see if it pops. OOOORRRRR if it sounds like the suspension is bottoming. a big thud it is most likely the strut top bushings which can be checked by shinning a flash light into the upper portion of the strut( in engine compt) between retaining plate and strut bushing and juming on the bumper to see if it is torn

Unlikely to be a bad strut. Could be the anti-roll bar endlinks. Another possibility are the upper and/or lower strut mounts - these commonly fail or crack on 850s and cause odd noises when going over bumps.

I have the same problem, right front wheel clunk over speed bumps. I took it to the dealer and he said I needed to replace the sway bar links. I will go next week and see if this solves the problem. Let me know if you find out otherwise.