Hi, there:
Ibought a 1997 Volvo 960almostone month ago. These days, Ihear anoise like squeezing rubbers whenever my car run over a bumper. Moreover, when I am driving on relatively flat road, there is occasionalclucking noise coming from the bottom front side. This noise is very slight though. Do you think what could be the problem?

Thanks
Robert

 

Check the brake pad shims. Mine made this clicking noise and that was what it was.

 

Thanks a lot Rob960!!
I will check tomorrow.Can I justcheck the brake pad by hand pushing the brake pad through the rim of wheel?
Or I need to bring it to a mechanics for check?

 

You will probable need to pull the wheel to check, but the shim is relatively cheap and you may want to just do it next time you have the brakes done.

 

Hi Robert,

Should you decide to pull the wheel off to inspect for the brake pad shim, I recommend that you buy either a tube of silicone or molybdenum-based brake grease and apply it between the pads & shim (and all metal-to-metal contact areas, EXCEPT the friction surfaces). This is generally done to eliminate squeal, though. As for molybdenum grease, I usually use CV-joint grease (CRC brand).

If it's not from the brakes, it may be coming from suspension components. I'm not privy to the 960 models, but on 850s there are certain components that are known to cause clunking noise, the most notorious component being the upper spring seat. If you can do so safely, raise the front of the car, remove the front wheels and support the caron jackstands and visually inspect all suspension components. If you do not have floor jack & jackstands, have it inspected at an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/European makes. I would not take Volvo to generic garages or franchise shops for quality reasons. If the 960 is equipped with upper spring seats like the 850, it cannot be checked via visual inspection but if you push on the front-end with the car at rest and if you hear squeezing/clunking noise, it may be the problem. If so, I would replace them asap as it affects thewheel alignment. Wait to see if someone in the 960 forum can reply to tell you whether the 960 is equipped with upper spring seats and if they are known to go bad.

I wish you the best of luck,


JPN

 

It could be a bad balljoint,Bad sway bar link,Brake pads or a few other things.

You might want to have someone give the front end a quick look over.

 

Hi,
Thanks all for your reply!
When I push on the front-end with the car at rest andI dohear squeezing/clunking noise. I have finally found out thenoise comeing from the junction between the car main body andshaft used to control the orientation of the front wheel. But I don't know whetherthis junction is calledthe upper spring seat or the sway bar link. If I don't fix the problem immediately, will this influence the drivability and safety?

Thanks
Robert

 

If it is the sway bar link then no problem. You can leave it like that.