S80: Suspension Steering issued on 2012 S80

[st4]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

You mentioned in this latest post that the noise was a "creak", whereas originally you described it as a "clicking" sound.

If indeed it is more of a "creak" noise, like the rigging on an old sailing ship, then you may want to look into front subframe mounts. Let me know if you want more detail on this or if you can't find my V70 thread/posts on the subject!

Can you give more detail? I believe the dealer to be pretty hopeless tbh but if you point them in the right direction they'll do it

[tommyweaves]

Do you get the sound when you turn lock to lock when the car is stationary withe the engine running? If not, then I suggest it's not your rack, PAS or suspension/steering components.

The front subframe mounts for the V70 (I assume they're common to the S80) were modified circa 2010/11. The later ones I believe had a blue bush, but without checking back on my posts from some years ago I can't be sure. The first thing to ask them to do is check which bushes you have. Mine went in repeatedly under warranty to have this sorted. First they changed the bushes, then they carried out a modification recommended by Volvo - hacking a bit off the bushes essentially! Finally, after the noise kept coming back, they dropped the subframe properly and re-fitted the bushes ensuring they were mounted/inserted fully - prior to this they'd only dropped the subframe enough (a few inches) to get the bush into place. It never came back after this.

The noise was a creaking noise which I would get when manoeuvring at low speed, such as backing off the drive or on an uneven surface and turning right at junctions. It tended to happen more often in dry weather. The noise seems to tranfer through the chassis into the centre console making it hard to isolate where it's coming from.

This may well not be your issue but I can only share what I've experienced!

[st4]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

Do you get the sound when you turn lock to lock when the car is stationary withe the engine running? If not, then I suggest it's not your rack, PAS or suspension/steering components.

The front subframe mounts for the V70 (I assume they're common to the S80) were modified circa 2010/11. The later ones I believe had a blue bush, but without checking back on my posts from some years ago I can't be sure. The first thing to ask them to do is check which bushes you have. Mine went in repeatedly under warranty to have this sorted. First they changed the bushes, then they carried out a modification recommended by Volvo - hacking a bit off the bushes essentially! Finally, after the noise kept coming back, they dropped the subframe properly and re-fitted the bushes ensuring they were mounted/inserted fully - prior to this they'd only dropped the subframe enough (a few inches) to get the bush into place. It never came back after this.

The noise was a creaking noise which I would get when manoeuvring at low speed, such as backing off the drive or on an uneven surface and turning right at junctions. It tended to happen more often in dry weather. The noise seems to tranfer through the chassis into the centre console making it hard to isolate where it's coming from.

This may well not be your issue but I can only share what I've experienced!

My faults are exactly as you describe. The creak doesn't happen when stationary but only in low speed manouvering. Does the fault get any worse if I just leave the bushes as they are

Thing is my car is a 2012 one. I will relay this information to the dealer.

[tommyweaves]

Fingers crossed that you now have an answer!

My car is a 2011 model. I doubt the subframes/bushes design has changed since then, even through the model facelift. I'm assuming still that the components are the same between the S80 and V70.

I bought my car new so it was an annoyance to have the noise on such an investment, which is why I persisted in getting it fixed. The car of course was still under its warranty and my local dealer has a very accommodating service department (Marshalls in Grantham) so it didn't cost me anything.

To be honest I doubt it would have got worse, after all it's a very small movement somewhere in the bush interface so it would take a heck of a long time to cause wear and deterioration. The lubricating effect of wet weather was enough to make it go away - possibly different temperatures could also change how it behaved.

Anothe thing they tried was a silicone application (again recommended by Volvo as a fix) that they called "magic grease" - a bit tongue in cheek I'm sure - and it's purpose was to lubricate the slight movement; it worked very briefly!

Ultimately if this IS the cause of your issue then I suggest you have the option to live with it knowing it's not a mechanical issue of any huge expense that's coming your way, or getting it looked into which will cost you money.

As a minimum I'd ask your dealer to research any technical service bulletins on the issue. (If they can't find any information then I suggest you ask them to call Marshalls at Grantham and ask for Jonathan Willows the service manager.) At least then they'll be as informed as you now are and you can have an informed discussion on options and potential costs.

[st4]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

Fingers crossed that you now have an answer!

My car is a 2011 model. I doubt the subframes/bushes design has changed since then, even through the model facelift. I'm assuming still that the components are the same between the S80 and V70.

I bought my car new so it was an annoyance to have the noise on such an investment, which is why I persisted in getting it fixed. The car of course was still under its warranty and my local dealer has a very accommodating service department (Marshalls in Grantham) so it didn't cost me anything.

To be honest I doubt it would have got worse, after all it's a very small movement somewhere in the bush interface so it would take a heck of a long time to cause wear and deterioration. The lubricating effect of wet weather was enough to make it go away - possibly different temperatures could also change how it behaved.

Anothe thing they tried was a silicone application (again recommended by Volvo as a fix) that they called "magic grease" - a bit tongue in cheek I'm sure - and it's purpose was to lubricate the slight movement; it worked very briefly!

Ultimately if this IS the cause of your issue then I suggest you have the option to live with it knowing it's not a mechanical issue of any huge expense that's coming your way, or getting it looked into which will cost you money.

As a minimum I'd ask your dealer to research any technical service bulletins on the issue. (If they can't find any information then I suggest you ask them to call Marshalls at Grantham and ask for Jonathan Willows the service manager.) At least then they'll be as informed as you now are and you can have an informed discussion on options and potential costs.

Indeed. I will pass this on. I only noticed in on cold days. When I got the car it was summer and it was perfect. They're inspecting the car just now with this knowledge and I should be back in it tomorrow or Friday.

[RogerTo]

Have you listened from outside or with the windows down? Can shed a whole new light on noises...I had a faint whistle inside the car, and a banshee shriek outside the car. Very well soundproofed cars these.

[st4]

Originally Posted by RogerTo

Have you listened from outside or with the windows down? Can shed a whole new light on noises...I had a faint whistle inside the car, and a banshee shriek outside the car. Very well soundproofed cars these.

No. But will.

The garage have checked the subframe bushes, rack, CV joints etc and found nothing wrong. More interestingly they said they couldn't replicate/hear the noise which I found hard to believe. I had the PAS fluid changed etc. It is still there but new fluid is better than old.

It is there but the only explination was "dry bushes" and to keep an eye on it. If it doesn't get any worse I can live with it. Its just a bit disconcerting. Interestingly some bushes on the rear are partly split but an advisable so they said to leave it until next time it is in.

They said the car was totally safe to drive and I should have no issues when I take it over to France