Per my username, I have 2000 Volvo s40...I replaced the rear coil springs, as well as the struts and strut mounts. Before this, one of the rear coil springs snapped and was making a more obvious creaking noise. Now after replacing the parts I mentioned, it is making a much more discrete creaking noise from the passenger-side rear suspension that occurs every freaking second unless you're driving on a perfectly paved road. It's frusturating and extremely annoying considering all this work was just put into the rear suspension area.

I've heard a few things from different forums, regarding other car makes and models, about tight/loose bolts, needing to spray down with WD40, replacing shock mounts, etc. I'd rather hear what someone has to say who knows about or owned a Volvo.

Thanks.

 

Yep, done the rear springs on my 2000 S40 and just did the fronts (FYI, the front springs are VERY long and most off the shelf strut compressors don't work). In terms of the spring/mounts/shocks, there's nothing really odd or different about the S40's design. If you can create the creak by pressing on the rear of the car, you can try to isolate by removing the tire, putting some blocks under the lower arm and flex the suspension. I'd start by checking the spring orientation to the spring seat and mount. I can't recall if both have a "slot" for the end of the spring to fit into or not. If you need to adjust you'll need to unbolt the lower end of the shock and drop the control arm to unload the spring. When you rebolt the lower end check the torque on the top nuts. After that, you can try lubing up any areas of metal on metal but assuming all parts are assembled correctly and aligned properly, you shouldn't need to grease up...