Suspension noise

[capt jack]

As is the case I guess with a lot of cars, my S90 hasn't had a lot of use in the past few months, but in the past week or so the mileage has started to creep up again - and it's great to be out and about at last!

But, the front suspension has gotten noisy again. I say again because creaking and clonking from the front end prompted me to get the lower suspension arms and drop links replaced late last year. Once the work was done the suspension was silenced. However, creak and knock it now does again, although not as markedly as before.

I've had a look at the drop links and noted that whilst the top ball joints of both are really tight, there's a fair bit of "in and out" play in the lower joints, while these lower joints swivel very, very easily with absolutely zero resistance. I've ordered some more from the local motor factor, and will fit these as soon as they arrive. I know that drop link noise can resonate through the car quite markedly, so these alone may indeed solve the issue. The problem is that I've struggled to find anyone with stock just now, so I've ended up ordering "Farhen" parts, a brand I'd never heard of. They're only £25 the pair, so if they last even just six months hopefully others will be available in due course. Of the motor factors around here, most are still not open to the general public and will only sell to the trade against a trade order. The others don't have any stock.

The lower wishbones are of course brand new, but I am aware that creaking rear bushes is a feature of this model, and I guess it could be that after the car having been sat unused for quite a period, the recent use has caused them to get noisy again. Is that possible I wonder?

I've had a look at the top mounts, and there is the slightest up and down movement just perceptible when you put your hand on each top mount and bounce the front of the car up and down. Both sides are the same, and there is no noise from either mount. Added to this, I've tried this with the top mounts on the S70 (which along with the struts are brand new), and these also have exactly the same very slight up and down movement when the car is rocked on the suspension. The S70 also creaks a bit when you rock the suspension, but unlike the S90 the noise isn't noticeable in the car. A Google search of various sites leads me to believe that some up and down movement is normal in a top mount. The S90's top mounts look perfect, with no sign of any deterioration in the visible rubber.

From a more general inspection the springs are intact, there's no obvious oil leak from either shock absorber, the car drives beautifully, the steering feels light and precise with no judder at all, and is rock steady right up to 80mph, the brakes pull up efficiently and evenly, with no pulling or juddering.

It does strike me as odd that a noise becomes apparent after a fairly lengthy lay-off, and it's this that's making me think it's unlikely to be major deterioration. I know that rubber doesn't like being left "unused", and that's what make me wonder if the lack of use is the cause. I'd pretty certain that the drop links are contributing, and it doesn't totally surprise me that they're wearing out after only a relatively short time. With both my old V70 and the S70 I've known after-market drop links give up within a matter of months.

So, any thoughts gentlemen please? If possible I'd like my silent S90 back!

Thanks

Jack

(PS: RT - you may have dodged a bullet here!)