V50 General : Hard suspension knock over bumps

[dovado3gn]

Alright. So after owning my volvo for a bit more over than a week, i have noticed that when ever i go over a speed bump, there is a hard knock comming from the front end of the car. Car drives smooth on the road with no noise comming from the suspension. However, when i drive over BIG speed bumps at regular speed (15-20kmh) i hear this hard knock from the front of the car. This noise is also present when i drive over BIG holes. But, if i drive slower over the bump, there is no sound and goes smoothly over the bump.

Any ideas of what it could be?
Cheers

[Welton]

The suspension on these cars is rubbish to be frank, I've had 8 years of replacing bits of it that have failed and i'm still not 100% happy with the rear sussy.

Anyway most likely reason would be: Drop link wear in the ball/cup arrangement (the fixing points), the main lower wishbone arm rearward bushings (large fluid-filled bush), top strut mount bearings, broken spring, anti-roll bar bushings.

[StatusRed]

I heard a "clunk" sort of sound from the back sometimes when not on smooth road. I've pushed down the rear corners though and I think the shocks are fine, not been mentioned when the car has been inspected by Volvo or at an MoT.

[ottawamel]

Originally Posted by dovado3gn

Alright. So after owning my volvo for a bit more over than a week, i have noticed that when ever i go over a speed bump, there is a hard knock comming from the front end of the car. Car drives smooth on the road with no noise comming from the suspension. However, when i drive over BIG speed bumps at regular speed (15-20kmh) i hear this hard knock from the front of the car. This noise is also present when i drive over BIG holes. But, if i drive slower over the bump, there is no sound and goes smoothly over the bump.

Any ideas of what it could be?
Cheers

Hey, I'm getting this exactly after having gotten my shocks replaced at a dealership garage. They've left me out in the cold.

Ever figure out your problem here?

They said there are no safety issues but it's awfully loud and disturbing. Most bumps are okay but speedbumps and depressions around storm drains or road work are killer loud and and shocking sometimes even causing the wipers to come on.

[ottawamel]

Originally Posted by Welton

The suspension on these cars is rubbish to be frank, I've had 8 years of replacing bits of it that have failed and i'm still not 100% happy with the rear sussy.

Anyway most likely reason would be: Drop link wear in the ball/cup arrangement (the fixing points), the main lower wishbone arm rearward bushings (large fluid-filled bush), top strut mount bearings, broken spring, anti-roll bar bushings.

Hmm. I have new links/bushings to sway bar, new ball joints, new struts. Spring looks okay, good vehicle height. Struts look okay, vehicle not bouncy.

Any way to verify those other bushings without starting to take things apart?

[x DTR x]

I have something similar to this, like a thumping from the rear. Seems to do it for only a few miles each time i start the car and sometimes it won't do it at all but then goes away? Definitely not my exhaust and has passed most without anything mentioned!

[Iannay]

First thing to check and cheap to change are front drop links....especially if the knock when is a noticable difference in the road bump each side. They connect to the roll bar, so are under tension and difficult to detect movement if you just jack one side up at a time. Easier to feel play if you can SAFELY jack up both sides at the same take both wheels off and waggle the links- if they're good they'll b stiff and hard to twist by hand with no detectable play. If they're easy or have any play in them they're probably junk.

Good news is they're only around £20 for the pair anyhow. Easy diy fit if you've a decent tool kit. Retaining nuts can b a pain as they can easying seize in the pin which then rotates frustratingly, but as the kit will come with new cover and bolts anyhow its just a matter of getting some mole graps in there, or even just splitting/cutting the nut. Just be careful not to damage the drive shaft gaiter near the bottom one.