Thud from front suspension when reversing

[aslan]

Hi all

Been chasing a few noises from the front right suspension. Had a creak going up and down bumps. Cured that with new front end links / drop links. But the thud is still there.

The thud from the right front suspension I've observed only comes when the reverse is first engaged after the car have been parked after a few hours. Say I'm reversing out of a parking space, I'll get a thud just once and after that I couldn't get it to come again after shifting from D to R many times and after switching off and on the engine after a few minutes. Another scenario is I put in D to get out from the parking lot and and I have to reverse to negotiate a turn, I'll get the thud just once and it'll be quiet till the end.

I've removed the front pads and cleaned and inspected them. Ball joint and outer tie rod boots fine. The bushings in the control arms looks fine. Except for the outer tie rod, pretty much all the bits at the front have been replaced around 50k km ago including the front shock upper seat. The shocks are still original.

Any ideas? Could it be the axle?

All 5 engine mounts are relatively newish with the top and transmission torque mounts recently replaced.

[ASt85]

I get something similar with my 2001 Automatic V70.

A local Volvo specialist told it me that he thought it might well be linked to the abs test mode if reverse is engaged too quickly after start up.

As with yours, after the initial clonk/thump I can't get it to repeat until the next start up and into reverse - if I wait a few seconds after start up I don't get the clunk in either reverse or drive.

[aslan]

Thanks very much ASt85. This morning I waited a bit after start up before reversing out from the house and no noise.

I will follow your advise and observe.

[laundryman]

Engine mounts/ anti torque link on gearbox?

[aslan]

Originally Posted by laundryman

Engine mounts/ anti torque link on gearbox?

Have replaced the top mount and anti torque link recently a few months back as they were broken. The right engine pad still fine. This is a petrol and the front and rear hydraulic mounts have been replaced also last year.

I have read the subframe mounts can also cause a noise but not sure how to check these.

[colinbos]

Originally Posted by aslan

Have replaced the top mount and anti torque link recently a few months back as they were broken. The right engine pad still fine. This is a petrol and the front and rear hydraulic mounts have been replaced also last year.

I have read the subframe mounts can also cause a noise but not sure how to check these.

Don't check them, just use these inserts. They will transform the handling of your car.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-XC90...UAAOSw4shX7O1v

[JimG]

I had this clunk soon after replacing my top engine mount, and front & rear lower vacuum mounts. I could induce the noise by selecting reverse and gradually increasing acceleration while holding the car with the foot brake. After the clunk I put it in drive and do the same.

I took it back to the garage who found that the top mount had loosened slightly. They tightened it up and I've had no issues since!

[sreviz]

Originally Posted by colinbos

Don't check them, just use these inserts. They will transform the handling of your car.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-XC90...UAAOSw4shX7O1v

Hi Colinbos, Ive seen a very good video of installing these subframe bushes recently. It is on my todo list.
Will these inserts make any difference during idling or driving?
Thank you

[colinbos]

Originally Posted by sreviz

Hi Colinbos, Ive seen a very good video of installing these subframe bushes recently. It is on my todo list.
Will these inserts make any difference during idling or driving?
Thank you

A driving transformation that you will be thrilled with and were not expecting.

They make the car 'tight'. They take any play out of the bush, making it I suppose, as tight as it was when it came out the factory.

Im not alone in my testimony of these items. For the cost of them, they are worth 5 times the price and more in the difference they make , in my honest opinion.

[Faybo73]

Look a bargain. Did you fit these your self? If so did anything need supporting with jacks or could you unbolt and swap in situ?