Clunking noise (front right) when steering

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by cbarrow

As suspected, it turned out to be the strut mount, £150 to change at an indie. The bearings inside the mount fail / go sticky, so the spring kind of jumps on the mount (apparently) as the steering is turned.

Is that £150 including the part?

[cbarrow]

That's right. I also needed a tie rod end boot changing so the total bill was a little more, but they said that the strut mount, including fitting, was about £150.

[Sotosound]

Might this affect tracking?

[cbarrow]

Not if they only change the tie rod end boot apparently. Not sure about the spring guide. They didn't say it needed re-tracking. I think the tracking is controlled by the control arms on the suspension and the track rod ends. The spring guide might (I guess) influence caster(?) but not toe in? Not sure....

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by cbarrow

Not if they only change the tie rod end boot apparently. Not sure about the spring guide. They didn't say it needed re-tracking. I think the tracking is controlled by the control arms on the suspension and the track rod ends. The spring guide might (I guess) influence caster(?) but not toe in? Not sure....

They have to take the shock absorber out of the car, compress the spring to access the strut mount.

As soon as you do that, no matter how good you are, the alignment will never be the same.

For what its worth, you should get a front end alignment done to be sure. Otherwise, you could get uneven tyre wear over time.

[cbarrow]

Many thanks for the advice. I'll get the tracking looked at next week. Does anyone have the Volvo specs for the front tracking on an S60 (MY12) D3? I don't trust garage generic 'look up' tables,

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by cbarrow

Many thanks for the advice. I'll get the tracking looked at next week. Does anyone have the Volvo specs for the front tracking on an S60 (MY12) D3? I don't trust garage generic 'look up' tables,

From what I've experienced, the machines are highly accurate. If you get a Hunter alignment for example, its about as accurate as you'll get, but pricey. Not all places have Hunter alignment machines, but some do... the places that have it is where I'd go. Don't go to some cheap back street garage with ancient equipment... you get what you pay for.

They input your reg into the machine, then that brings the alignment specs up for them. Or, they may have to search manually. If they do, make sure they select that yours is the 2011-2018 shape and not the predecessor.

[cbarrow]

Thanks for the tip. Tracking reset. It was only very slightly out, but worth doing all the same.