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front end noise S70 1998

posted by  macs70GLT on  Sat Sep 12 17:32 CST 2009
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last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
[RELATED]

I have had a noise in my front end thats difficult to describe. Took a friend for a ride and had him look under the hood, he suspects the upper engine mount allows the engine to slightly rotate causing an accordian shaped duct just between engine & firewall (exhaust shield?) to flex.

The noise happens when I start out from a stop, as I come to a stop, and when I turn the front wheels. It sounds like a metal pop and usually happens several times in succession. I have had the front end suspension checked by a Volvo shop. They said bring it back when it is more prevalent. (this was maybe a year ago)

Any ideas? The metal duct piece flexing seems like it would cause that noise. I changed out the upper engine stabilizer mount (new IPD poly mount) - still have the problem. Maybe need other engine mounts? Upper Strut mounts?

Thanks

Mike

1998 S70 GLT, 140K miles
--
1988 245, 245K mi, 5 speed








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    front end noise S70 1998

    posted by  rkmacman on  Mon Oct 26 15:39 CST 2009
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    last visit: Thu Dec 12 07:58 CST 2013
    [RELATED]

    Did you check the strut bearings ? They make noise when worn out. They hold up real good but it might be the bearings.
    Good luck!!! RK








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    front end noise S70 1998

    posted by  KlausC on  Sun Sep 13 04:20 CST 2009
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    That flex pipe is part of the exhaust manifold, and when it cracks you will hear the exhaust noise like a hole in the muffler! That's not it.

    A bad mount on the front of the engine, passenger side, is possible. These don't last forever and 140K miles makes that suspect.

    There is also a tranny mount.

    Klaus
    --
    I am not a mechanic, so can you trust what I type?








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      front end noise S70 1998

      posted by  someone claiming to be macs245 on  Mon Oct 26 17:34 CST 2009 [RELATED]

      The strut bearings (the plate with the 3 studs & the large bearing) seemed fine. The bearings rotated fine and didn't have any play to then at all.

      The struts (at least pass side) retracted under its own weight. On another post I saw that I should not be able to push the rod in by hand. In my case, it slid in on its own.

      Wish I had given this more thought at the time. But I didn't have a replacement at the time anyway.

      I'm guessing these struts are definitely shot!

      Mike








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      front end noise S70 1998

      posted by  macs70GLT on  Mon Sep 14 02:31 CST 2009
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      last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
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      Thanks Klaus,

      I'll take a look at those. I have one of those nice metal belly pans from IPD (from the original owner), not sure how they attached it, looks like a screw with the head scraped off on one side & not attached on the other. The back bolts are removeable. Hopefully I can get in there with a mirror & flashligt without remove this pan.

      Mike
      --
      1988 245, 245K mi, 5 speed








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        front end noise S70 1998

        posted by  KlausC on  Mon Sep 14 04:35 CST 2009
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        Unless you really have to remove the aluminum skid plate, don't. I should have a couple of rubber grommets which could prove difficult to replace. Make sure the skid plate is not loose enough to rattle against metal.

        Also check the heat shield between the cat converter and the floor of the car. These tend to get loose over time and will vibrate. I found that my 1998 deteriorated enough so that the plastic nuts holding it on were no longer doing its job. A large washer helped.

        Klaus
        --
        I am not a mechanic, so can you trust what I type?








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          front end noise S70 1998

          posted by  macs70GLT on  Mon Oct 12 17:50 CST 2009
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          last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
          [RELATED]

          This weekend I replaced the strut spring seats. The original were not that bad, could see a crack between the center bushing & rubber but only when I forced it. I replaced them with the IPD Heavy Duty ones. Struts seemed ok, the spindle retracted under its own weight which I assume is normal.

          What about the subframe rubber bushings that I can see behind the wheels? If these are failing would they make a metalic clunk or pop type sound as you come to a stop or start out?

          I'm stumped and the sound has definitely gotten worse over time. The car has 142K miles and I hope to keep it about another 30K

          Thanks

          Mike
          --
          1998 S70 GLT








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            Struts Shot? S70 1998

            posted by  macs70GLT on  Mon Oct 26 08:05 CST 2009
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            last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
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            I didn't fully consider how the struts work.

            Had them out of the car to change the Spring Seats. The shaft of the strut retracted under it's own weight (passenger side, didn't notice if Drivers did this).

            After reading some more posts regarding struts I'm realizing I shouldn't even be able to force them in myself.

            Is this correct? What else is at risk of damage driving around with shot struts?

            Looks like I'll be renting the spring compressors & doing this job again ...

            Thanks

            Mike
            --
            1998 S70 GLT








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            front end noise S70 1998

            posted by  KlausC on  Tue Oct 13 08:35 CST 2009
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            Grab one of the sway bar end links and try to shake it. They should not move at all. Just turn the wheel to one side or the other and then grab the rod behind the wheel. OEM links last about 3 years, IPD last for at least 5.

            Re-check the IPD skid plate and make sure it is not loose or touching the subframe.

            Klaus
            --
            Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.








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              front end noise S70 1998

              posted by  macs70GLT on  Mon Oct 19 07:52 CST 2009
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              last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
              [RELATED]

              Thanks Klaus,

              I grabbed hold of the swaybar end links with the wheels straight, hard right, and hard left. (car on ramps & full weight on wheenl). The links themselves felt tight, only the swaybar itself had a little play - not much. The end links themselves (the rod) seemed not real stif but the rubber bushing at each end seemed good.

              As for the IPD belly pan, I can't see how it would produce the noise. I am leaning more toward the subframe bushings between the sub and main frames. I see a bit of grease at these. The noise is some type of a metallic pop, more like the strut end moving or a big bolt slipping fwd and back.

              Any other thoughts? I'm assuming I don't have anything catastrophic waiting to happen!

              Thanks

              Mike
              --
              1998 S70 GLT








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                front end noise S70 1998

                posted by  KlausC on  Mon Oct 19 10:55 CST 2009
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                last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
                [RELATED]

                I still think front engine mount broken is the best candidate. If it makes noise when you shift, without moving, have your buddy shift from R to D with the hood open and ears ready.

                Klaus
                --
                Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.








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                  front end noise S70 1998

                  posted by  macs70GLT on  Tue Oct 20 15:09 CST 2009
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                  last visit: Fri Jul 2 07:33 CST 2010
                  [RELATED]

                  Klaus

                  I got in there better with the passenger wheel off tonight. I can rotate the end link about its axis, but it does not move other than that rotation. I can move the engine +/- 3/16" at the passenger engine mount with a crow bar. Didn't hear any metal contact when I did it, and the rubber appears intact to the bottom of the mount.

                  I'm wondering more about your comments on the exhaust. It is definitely a metallic sound so if the system has enough weight on its own to move separate from the car at acceleration & braking - maybe thats the culprit. I'll get under the car this weekend & see what I can find.

                  Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

                  Mike
                  --
                  1988 245, 245K mi, 5 speed







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