Suspension rattles and clangs

HankScorpio · Aug 7th, 2019, 10:54

Hi guys

Ive always had a few rattles and bangs from the front drivers side suspension. It seems to be mainly when the suspension is extending (i.e. On the way down speed humps, not when you hit them). I hit a couple of big old potholes and bumps on my recent drive of a few hundred miles and it's significantly worse.

Presume the first suspect is sway bar end links. So I'm going to change them. The general state of the suspension looked good when I had the wheels off and it has new shocks. While I'm down there with my spanners, and assuming that all bushes are 14 years old, is there anything else people would suggest changing?

oragex · Aug 7th, 2019, 11:18

There could be more than 1 culprit. Be sure in the first place to use parts only from the recommended brands, i.e. Lemforder, Sachs. I would first look at the infamous spring seat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4JmZS2yM4

End links, anti-roll bar bushes, anything goes

How many miles on it?

HankScorpio · Aug 7th, 2019, 11:23

It's got close to 60k on it now.

All four dampers were replaced just before I got it, but it looks like it was done by a bloody idiot, so this could be the cause. All the springs seemed to have been seated correctly when I checked the corners at the garage.

Georgeandkira · Aug 7th, 2019, 13:00

"The general state of the suspension looked good....but it looks like it was done by a bloody idiot...".

Do tell.

The sway bar links' nuts have to be done up tight. I thought I had tightened mine and the test drive rattled unbelievably. I leaned on them and all was well. Your drop links' (same thing) nuts may have simply loosened.

These would be the last things reassembled after a strut change so the 'bloody idiot' may have been tired.

oragex · Aug 7th, 2019, 14:57

Have you had the car from new ? At 60K it's a little early for suspension, unless the previous owner already replaced some with cheap parts - then you are opening a Kinder egg (not necessarily a pleasant surprise)

ians · Aug 10th, 2019, 10:48

Those sway bars or drop links need to be really tight and I when I had mine replaced still had a slight knock I took it back to the mechanic who tightened it up and no noise now. You cant tell by looking either.

Aug 7th, 2019, 10:54	#1
HankScorpio Floppy member Last Online: Jun 17th, 2021 22:13 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: So far in the countryside, I can hear banjos	Suspension rattles and clangs Hi guys Ive always had a few rattles and bangs from the front drivers side suspension. It seems to be mainly when the suspension is extending (i.e. On the way down speed humps, not when you hit them). I hit a couple of big old potholes and bumps on my recent drive of a few hundred miles and it's significantly worse. Presume the first suspect is sway bar end links. So I'm going to change them. The general state of the suspension looked good when I had the wheels off and it has new shocks. While I'm down there with my spanners, and assuming that all bushes are 14 years old, is there anything else people would suggest changing?

Aug 7th, 2019, 11:18	#2
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	There could be more than 1 culprit. Be sure in the first place to use parts only from the recommended brands, i.e. Lemforder, Sachs. I would first look at the infamous spring seat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4JmZS2yM4 End links, anti-roll bar bushes, anything goes How many miles on it? __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Aug 7th, 2019, 14:57	#5
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	Have you had the car from new ? At 60K it's a little early for suspension, unless the previous owner already replaced some with cheap parts - then you are opening a Kinder egg (not necessarily a pleasant surprise) __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Aug 7th, 2019, 11:23	#3
HankScorpio Floppy member Last Online: Jun 17th, 2021 22:13 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: So far in the countryside, I can hear banjos	It's got close to 60k on it now. All four dampers were replaced just before I got it, but it looks like it was done by a bloody idiot, so this could be the cause. All the springs seemed to have been seated correctly when I checked the corners at the garage.

Aug 7th, 2019, 13:00	#4
Georgeandkira Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 13:23 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hackensack	"The general state of the suspension looked good....but it looks like it was done by a bloody idiot...". Do tell. The sway bar links' nuts have to be done up tight. I thought I had tightened mine and the test drive rattled unbelievably. I leaned on them and all was well. Your drop links' (same thing) nuts may have simply loosened. These would be the last things reassembled after a strut change so the 'bloody idiot' may have been tired.

Aug 10th, 2019, 10:48	#6
ians Member Last Online: Dec 17th, 2023 15:17 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: burnley	Those sway bars or drop links need to be really tight and I when I had mine replaced still had a slight knock I took it back to the mechanic who tightened it up and no noise now. You cant tell by looking either.

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