Diagnosing suspension noise

[Millie20]

Hoping I can lean on your collective wisdom.

Re: 2006 v70 d5.

I have a noise coming from nsf suspension when I go over bumps or pot holes. I wouldn't describe it as a clunk, more of a rattle, or somewhere in between, but it's definitely audible even on smaller bumps.

It started after hitting a significant bump in the road coming in to my village at about 60mph. A proper thump, that feels hard and made me wince (sp?). Admittedly, It took me hitting it a few times before I found a way to avoid it.

I've done a visual inspection with the wheel off, nothing jumped out at me, though admittedly I don't really know what I'm looking for.

Another note that may be of importance, I'm pretty sure I'm running the original struts and springs.

So for those who are inclined, how would you go about diagnosing such a noise? What steps would you take?

[stuart bowes]

I hit a deep pothole at similar speeds rushing to take the kids to see Santa at the end of last year, country lane, flat bed coming the other way.. I know that wincing moment well lol

I got a knocking developing soon after and replacing my drop links seems to have solved it

strange though really because the old ones didn't feel loose, or wobbly at all in my hand. still for £40 the pair its not the worst job

my old ones had a torx counter hold in the shaft which worked but I had to get the big nut moving with a bar first because it was pretty corroded on and serious risk of just rounding out the hole. otherwise it's angle grinder time

[Millie20]

Thanks Stuart. The things we do for our kids. My six year old now reminds me about the bump everytime we're in car (whether we're near it or not).

One of our esteemed members happens to have a set of drop links in the sales section. I'll give it a go.

[T5R92011]

If you open the bonnet and bounce the car, is there any up/down movement from the top of suspension strut?

Just had to replace the spring seat and top mount on my V70. The inner metal sleeve of the spring seat had detached and you could hear it knocking over roughs surfaces.

Attached image shows a worn spring seat on the right, whereby the inner sleeve has completely detached.

[Pauljude]

There's a good chance it could be your spring seat. But just give the whole lot a once over. Jack up the offending corner test wheel for any lateral movement which could indicate bearing, track rod end or ball joint.
Remove wheel & visually inspect the bushings of the control arm, drop link and track rod end.

If your top mounts haven't been changed then its probably time they were, they're almost a service item on these cars

[Kev0607]

Have a look at this video. This will give you an idea of how to test the suspension.

**Note, its not a Volvo, but the process is more or less the same on other cars too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS3CcuFGGKk

[stuart bowes]

rather embarrassingly I think i just solved a strange clunky noise up the front.

by shutting my bonnet properly...

I was fitting a new brake position sensor at the weekend, I must have just put the lid down carefully rather than dropping/slamming it. at first I was like hmm did I leave the pliers under there or something? open. check.. nothing. slam shut.. no more clonks

2 days I've been wondering what that was. I changed my rear brakes / handbrake shoes and was starting to wonder if I'd messed that up somehow . hard to tell where noise coming from exactly

[marcb]

As said, drop links (esp rear ones I've found) are common source of clunks. Easy and fairly cheap to replace. Our V70 is clunking a bit over speed humps and that's what I'll be looking at.

[stuart bowes]

update: the bonnet was a false positive, the clonk came back

pretty sure it's the rear though and seeing as the only thing I've done recently is change the handbrake bits, i suspect the non-volvo retaining springs are to blame. they did seem a bit weak compared to the ones I took out

genuine volvo ones turned up today and they feel a LOT stronger

[Millie20]

I finally got a chance to have a good look at the suspension.

@Kev0607 - Video was very helpful. Thank you.

There was no movement of the wheel when off the ground at either 12-6 or 9-3.

Drop links wouldn't budge by hand and seem in good nick. I ordered a set from a forum member who was selling new anyways.

Looking at the control arm bushings, they look ok, but wanted to confirm that there is a void in the front bushing - otherwise its F*cked.

I could only visually inspect the struts and springs, as I didn't have the time, nor the proper tools to take them off and apart. To keep it short, they look knackered. Definitely OEM - 15 years old. The springs themselves are rusted (Mot advisary over last two years), as is the bottom of the strut/damper. When looking at the mounts from the engine bay, there are fresh looking caps covering up a rusted mess underneath (I believe these are the support plate - PN 31200599). With that said there doesn't appear to be movement of the strut when I bounce the car.

Background - I absolutely love this car, and intend to keep it for the next 10 years. As such, I have been priming the wife over the last few months that we're going to have to spend some money on it soonish.

So, I am now looking at upgrading the entire suspension. New dampers, springs, spring seats etc. I know that this forum leans heavily towards OEM everything, which is great, however I like the idea of modifying the car to suit my needs.

My research on this and other sites has most people leaning towards bilstein shocks b4 being most popular. b8 being more expensive and a performance version. Ultimately, I'm never going to race the v70, however I wouldn't mind mildly lowing it. I live out in the sticks, and some of the twisty roads of Oxfordshire are a joy to drive spiritedly.

Does anyone have any input into the strut and spring conversation? Experience with other brands Eibach, sachs etc?

Any and all input greatly appreciated.

While we're here, I also noticed some rub marks where the tyres are hitting the arch liners, also it appears the bottom of the struts are doing the same. I know the tyre is normal, but not sure I've come across anyone else mention their strut rubbing. Any insight?