Xc90 2003 ride a bit crashy

[Ezz]

Hi.
I have an xc90 2003 d5. It has covered 173000 miles. The ride is getting increasingly crashy. By this I mean small bumps can make other parts of the car, like door trim rattle. In the past year it has had most if the front suspension changed. Apart from springs and shocks. There is also a metal on metal movement noise if I park on a slight slope. When i drive away it sounds like something is settling back in to its correct position. My thought was the bolts at the top of the shock absorber. What are your thoughts please. Is it worth getting new springs and/or shocks so I get a nicer ride. Could poor shocks be causing damage to the other suspension parts.

Thanks

David

[Tannaton]

First thing - check tyre pressures.

The "Eco" setting for the XC90 is circa 38-39 psi - this gives the best economy and slightly better tyre wear but the downside is a very un-Volvo like crashy ride. It's a relative view, some people prefer the sharpness is brings but I prefer the armchair feel of 32 psi (note - recommended setting vary slightly according to model/wheel size so check).

The next thing is the front strut top mounts spring top seats - these can fail and cause noise as well as have a profound effect on feel as essentially you have un-damped, un-sprung movement. First thing to check it look at the strut tops under the bonnet and see if one or both are sitting high - the rubber washer shouldn't be too much above the top of the turret.

This is what I mean (a very bad example) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8953EIIgI

And another one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kx3GWSgxFg

[SwissXC90]

+1 for tyre pressures

I had my XC90 at "Eco" pressures
Hard ride, and knocked out my wheel alignment on a UK-pothole

Back to "normal" pressures now, much better

[Ezz]

Thank you. That's great. I shall have a look.