Try this test: Jack up one front wheel off the ground be 2 or 3 inches. Grip the wheel at noon and 6 0'clock and attempt to move it. Push in at the top, pull out at bottom, reverse that. Listen and feel for play and/or clicks in the wheel center. Yes = wheel bearings out of adjustment and candidate for repacking maybe replacement. Can be a DIY job.

Next grip the wheel at 3 0'clock and 9 0'clock, do the same push/pull attempt. Lean around so you can look at the tie rods and tie rod ends and watch for play in them. Is there's play, it'll be easy to see.

The likely problem is the tie rod and/or tie rod ends. Are the rubber boots good? If they are not, you likely have some damage to the inner tie rod ball joint, too.

The mileage on your Volvo, absent repair records to the contray, is high enough to expect these repairs. I divide the whole front suspension job into two sections. (1) is the struts and upper strut bearings. (2) is everything else. Tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints, lower arm rear bushiings, anti-sway bar bushings. #2 is a big DIY job, except for a press to remove the old lower arm rear bushings.

Do those first 2 checks and you will locate the problem. Of course, this is assuming that all the tires have good tread and are properly inflated.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Sounds like tie rod ends-- not expensive to have done, but you will need to have your alignment checked afterward.

Good luck!

Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/96K mi