My '97 850 has a clunking noise on the right front when I go over large bumps/speed bumps. I have replaced the end links and the noise is still there. I have inspected everything closely and find no looseness. However, I think the noise is coming from the sway bar frame bushings. There is very small clearance between the steel housing and the sway bar. I am thinking that large bumbs are compressing the rubber and allowing metal to metal contact. The catch is that Volvo, in all their wisdom, has made these bushings inseparable from the sway bar in later model 850s. Does anyone know of an aftermarket kit to replace these bushings, even though they would have to be cut off of the bar? (by the way, the noise goes away completely when both end links are disconnected from the bar.)

I'm not familiar with the sway bar problem but I have replaced the strut plates several times on my '93. Same symptoms.

DG

It's actually a broken anti-sway bar that you have. This is actually not all that rare. There is a flex point hidden by the bushings. This design is good and bad. By having the flex point there, it helps to reduce strut to strut connectivity when going straight. However, when there is lateral load, because it is against the axis of flex, it is rather stiff. Therefore, it helps to isolate while going straight, and is slightly tighter in the turns. The bad part is, these flex points break.

Why not go iPd, if they are selling any right now. I know for a while, they didn't, and may not be still.

I have a similar situation that baffles me. My '96 850 GLT has a weird popping and creaking sound from both sides that sounds like flexing in the sway bar/sway bar link area. The sound occurs at take-off from stop and at low speed. I have no sounds from the CV axles in the typical lock to lock turn test for worn CV axles. The condition does not appear to affect driveability, performance or tire wear. Maybe this too is a sway bar break? The sound is becoming persistent on take-off but not louder, nor does it last longer. Any body have this problem?

TR

TR,

Yeah, me too. For the last couple of months there has been a "snap" or "pop" (no krackle) from the front suspension on start-up and stopping.

The CV's, sway bar bushings, etc. all seem okay. I'm thinking that it is the rubber spring-seat isolation bushing on one or both of the strut towers.

I don't notice any driveability or tire problems. Actually, it's more of an embarrassment when people turn heads to see where the noise is coming from.

Any solutions short of removing the strut assemblies?

Thanks,

Bryan