Hi All,

My beloved v70 wagon is suffering with strangeness...

It started with a sharp "Squeak-Squeak!" when I changed gears. I later came to learn it wasn't because I changed gears, but because the cars momentum coincides with shift changes. When I get the momentum to change without the clutch or changing gears, I still get the noise.

(To me, it sounds like it is coming from the right front wheel, or possibly back as far back on the car as the underneath back to the right front door.)

At the same time, the front right wheel sounds loose! I don't think it is, but when I go over bumps, it sounds loose and rattley, like once the weight is off the wheel things get clunky and unsteady. The wheel isn't wearing noticeably oddly, and the alignment isn't off.

I took it to a shop and they put in new sway bar links. Did nothing.
I took it to a friend who tightened the bottom engine mount and we replaced the top engine mount, which was all cracked up.

Nothing changed.

My husband put it on a lift and pulled at the wheel and looked around, but didn't see anything.

It's all getting worse. I even sometimes intermittently feel a beating in the brake pedal that is kind of like a faint anti-lock brake response, but at inappropriate times.

Any ideas? I know my car is in a bad way, but I don't know what to do about it. I have a creeping feeling that I can't be the only one with such an odd problem. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Get a large pair of pliars, open the hood, and try turning the large nut above the shock on the passenger side. Clockwise, please. If you can feel it wanting to spring back, that is good. If the nut and strut turn easily, then it is time to replace the spring seat for the strut. I suggest replacing it with one made for the XC90, it will last much longer.

It is probably time for new struts anyway. DIY requires a strut spring compressor as the only special tool. The compressor is also needed to replace the spring seat. An alignment afterwards.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Hi!

The spring seat is surely bad on the passenger side. The driver's side still has some resistance, so I have something to compare it to.

I am very grateful for your time! I can't wait to get the car to the hobby shop and get this handled. I guess it is advisable to do both spring seats and struts while we are in there?

:)

Thank you so much! We really do prefer to be handy and the sense of accomplishment that comes with taking care of your own things.

While spring seats can be replaced individually and struts must be replaced in pairs, the labor to replace the spring seat is the same as replacing the strut. Just look around for some good priced struts. And some XC90 seats.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Interesting!

Thank you, I think I will go and try this before it gets dark tonight.
Do you think this could also have something to do with the "squeak-squeak"?

Yes.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic