Hello All,

I know this is a V70 site, but I'm hoping some one can help me. I have placed the following query on the 850 site, and did get some helpful responses. I'm hoping, someone on this site may have suggestions too. Here's the problem:

I have a '96 850 wagon with a manual transmission. I purchased the car new. It now has 225,000 miles and has been well maintained. About 7,000 miles ago, I began to hear a metal "click" when ever I backed up the car, or drove forward. It was intermittant at first, but became more consistant after a while. I initially heard this noise as I backed my car out of the garage, and turned. The noise is a single click. I brought the car to my independent Volvo mechanic. I demonstrated the noise to him as he stood on the driver's side of the car. I drove back and forth a few feet in each direction. When I stopped the car, and when I began to move in the opposite direction, a single click would be heard. It seemed to be coming from the front driver's side axle. I want to add, that you can hear this click noise if the wheels are pointed straight or turned. The mechanic replaced the front hub. The noise continued. He then replaced the driver's side axle with a rebuilt unit from the local Volvo dealer. The noise disappeared for awhile, but came back a few weeks later. There is an iPd skid guard on this car, but I checked and it is secure. Plus, this noise is a distinctive metal click, like something is being turned. This noise can also be heard sometimes while I'm driving along, and I go over a slight rise in the road, which I guess affects the speed or force of direction the front left wheel is traveling.

I trust my mechanic, because he has serviced this car for years. But before I throw any more money at it, I'd like to know if anyone has had a similar experience with their Volvo. Thanks to all who respond.

Hugh

Have any front suspension parts ever been replaced. With that mileage it could be a combination of many worn parts. Im thinking sway bar links, ball joints, most likely control arm bushings etc....

Boobaka,

Thanks for your reply. I have had end links replaced, though, I think that may be the cause for the clicking noise. I can't recall how long ago that was done. I've also had the lower control arm replaced n(Volvo OEM part) on the driver's side too. I think that was 2 years ago or longer. It wasn't a clicking noise that caused it to be replaced, if I recall correctly. There was some sort of noise, that heralded the necessity of replacing it. I had the original anti-sway bars replaced last December, with iPd bars. Their installation, included new bushings. There was not "clicking" noise. At 200,000 miles, I just wanted to tighten up the handling of the car a bit. That's the only thing I've done to alter the suspension on this car. Everything else is stock Thanks for your suggestions, I'm going to share them with my mechanic, the next time I have the car in for servicing. I hope the persistence of this "clicking" noise will be exceeded by my persistence in eliminating it.

Hugh

I know that the spline was mentioned not being glued properly. Sure, this could happen but apparently you haven't had an axle replaced, so I'd say that's not the issue here. When I replaced my swaybar with the IPD one, it was no time that my car developed clicking sounds. It was hard to tell where it was coming from. My mechanic told me that everything was tight including the end-links, but that was not the case. With them torqued, it is hard to tell the higher end of them was note exactly right. I replaced them with IPD's heavy duty end-links (you'll have to call and ask for them and they're only a couple more bucks than the regular ones) and suddenly all my front end woes were gone. Get your mechanic to take the end-links loose and see if they have any play in them with the torque pressure off.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon

Made in Japan,

I think your suggestion may be the answer. I had the anti-roll bar replaced on my other '96 850 wagon at the same time. Sure enough, it now has the same clicking noise. I have the iPd heavy duty links in my possession, and will see if they need to be installed. Thanks for your suggestion.

Hugh

I recently bought a used 2002 V70 T5 manual with 65,000 miles. I started to notice a quite delicate clicking noise from the drivers front axle/wheel. This was noticeable when the transmission was put under stress ie when reversing or on applying power when changing up from 1st to 2nd. It progressively got worse.

Main dealer said it is not unknown and was due to the splines on the hub not meshing properly with transmission. sorry i am not technically minded !! Remedy is to "glue" the two together. This was tried and whilst failed once a few weeks later as glue didn't go off properly was tried again and has been successful. Must leave car for a few hours in order for glue to "go off".

Repair was carried out by main dealer for £40 including labour/materials. ..therefore appreciate how easy it is !! and subject to Volvo 12 months warranty. might be worth a try.

Hello Mark G.,

Thanks for your reply. How are things across the pond? Your response is one of the beauties of this web site. You can get responses from people around the world, who just might have the answer you are looking for - and in the process, save you a ton of time.

I've had a few suggestions, but yours is unique, and I mean that as a compliment. Your description of what triggers the "clicking" sound is identical to my experience. I'll share your suggestion with my independent Volvo mechanic.

By the way, your 2001 V70 T-5 with only 65K sounds like a dream car. What color is it? What color is the interior? I like my normally aspirated 850 with a 5 speed, but I hope someday to pick up a manual T-5. The N/A sometimes drags. The car will move, but it justs takes some time.

The Best,

Hugh

Hello Mark G.,

Thanks for your reply. How are things across the pond? Your response is one of the beauties of this web site. You can get responses from people around the world, who just might have the answer you are looking for - and in the process, save you a ton of time.

I've had a few suggestions, but yours is unique, and I mean that as a compliment. Your description of what triggers the "clicking" sound is identical to my experience. I'll share your suggestion with my independent Volvo mechanic.

By the way, your 2001 V70 T-5 with only 65K sounds like a dream car. What color is it? What color is the interior? I like my normally aspirated 850 with a 5 speed, but I hope someday to pick up a manual T-5. The N/A sometimes drags. The car will move, but it justs takes some time.

The Best,

Hugh