Hi, all,

Recently, I have noticed there is clunking noise from the left front suspension (most probably, not 100% sure). The noise was most noticeable when the car was driven on an uneven local street (< 30 miles/hr). The suspension seems bouncing back as well as the other side when it was pressed. what could it be wrong? Is it possible to check it out myself with the car lifted? Thank you in advance for your input.

Cheers,

Puhong

Thanks all for the inputs. Sounded like there is no potential danger to drive my car as is. So, I will take my time to find out what it is wrong.

Both of the control arms on my car were replaced several months ago. So, it is less likely they are the problem. I checked the black spring caps under the hood. Seemed they were not damaged and moving in the same way when suspension was pressed.

Thanks again to you all.

Have a great day.

Puhong

I had a clunk in the front of my 1995 850 wagon. I replaced many parts and it ended up being the tie rod ends. Wish I would have tried those first.

RT

COULD BE YOUR SPRING SEATS OR YOUR SUB FRAME MOUNT. I BOUGHT MY SPRING SEATS FOR 30.00 EA. BOUGHT BILSTEIN STRUTS FOR 84.00 EACH, DID IT MYSELF. SAVED A TON O' MONEY. I MUST SAY, THOUGH, THAT MY KLUNKING IS STILL THERE. SUB FRAME MOUNT IS NEXT...STAY TUNED...

Subframe mount? Do you mean one of the motor mounts? If the clunk is still there, the next most likely culprit is the control arm...maybe not even the arm itself, but the bolts that secure it wiggle a little loose sometimes.

Hi. I was told at my 100K service that I need to get my motor mount and spring seat (right side) replaced. Is this something anyone can do? I was advised by a Volvo specialized mechanic (not dealer), but quoted about $500.00. I ask b/c i have a very good mechanic that used to work on my other car, and he "says" he can work on Volvo's, but with what i hear Volvo's need special attention under the hood.
Thanks,
Heather
95 T-5R 100K

I would say that your trusted mechanic can perform repairs, but that someone who knows Volvos will be more up to speed on the "routine nuances" of the beast, but then you have this board, don't you? I've learned after being on this board, that Volvo list varies from locale to locale, so I can't say for certain whether or not $500.00 is reasonable, or questionable.

First, I guess I would need to know which motor mount. If it's the lower right side mount, the list price "here" is somewhere around $85.00; the spring cap is $24.00. I bill out .6 on this mount, and 1.0 for a spring cap. I would also have an alignment done. So in my shop...the cost for "these" repairs...would be in the neighborhood of $280.00.

When doing the spring caps, if a car has mucho many miles, I always suggest that it may be wiser to replace the strut as well, and that I generally do struts in pairs...so the cost would add up at my shop as well. I like to combine labor, rather than doing struts later. Of course, this only saves 'em $60.00 (one hour labor) in the grand scheme of things, and it's not like $60.00 extra later would really matter that much.

Chris

Hi

Me too - shop says it is the sway bar link bushing.

Could be other things though.

Good Luck
Matt 1993 850 GLT

Matt,

Thank you for your info. Did you get your problem fixed? If yes, was it costly? And, is it a safety problem if it is not attended? Thanks.

Best,

Puhong

Hi

No not fixed yet, the car is a project for me so I drive it rarely. I am trying to get it as it left the factory in 1992 - first registered 01 01 93.

The bushings are available seperately to the anti'sway bar on the 93 model, so I will get these and some bushings for the rear suspension before I get back on the road.

Until then long live my 240
Matt 850 GLT

I'd be checking my spring caps...open the hood, see both of the strut tops. Do they look different? Bounce on either side of the car and see if the movement is the same on each side. Those black caps break all the time.

Chris

Chris,

Are those black spring caps, easy to remove but loosening the top strut nut, or does the whole strut assembly has to come off.

The right side one on my V70 is broken.

Thanks
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

Hi, Im in Tampa Bay too. If you khow to do basic repairs on Volvo's would you be willing to do any side jobs? I just purchased a 95 T-5R, and I cant find a reasonable mechanic. I need the motor mount and spring seat replaced on my baby.
Heather
95 T-5R 100K

Hi heather, welcome to volvoworld.

Sorry, but I am not a mechanic, just a volvo lover who does the minor repairs on his own cars.

If you're talking about the rear engine torque mount, that's easy to replace yourself especially if you buy the 2 part polyurethane one.

Strut spring mounts usually fail by 75K miles. The local garage quoted me $280 for labor plus $50 for alignment with my own parts.

I got mine done at Sears with Monroe sensatrak struts (Good struts not great like Bilsteins) for $99 each installed, and I brought my own OEM BOGE strut mounts, which they installed at no charge. So for $250 I had new struts and mounts installed plus a 4 wheel alignment. The old strut mounts were broken already at 82K miles.

I am pleased with the sensatrak struts, as they are a bit softer and not as stiff as OEM, and the ride is mor confortable.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

You have to pull the strut...sorry...

Chris

I had that type of problem and it was the spring seats. Cost about $300 to replace both but it worked.