I've got a 2005 s40 volvo that has a very loud noise and vibration in the front end when I hit any sort of bumps. If I hit larger ones, the vibration and last 1-2 seconds. It literally sounds like the front end is going to fall apart. Could this mean the Strut Mounting Plate needs to be replaced? I have 78k miles on the car, so I don't think that the struts have gone out yet. Or is it something completely different?

Thanks,
Tom

 

Check the sway bar end links and spring seats.

 

Thanks Tech.

I took a closer look this morning. I bounced both sides and the drivers side strut is making a suction sound when you push it up and down. Does that sound like a seal broken in the strut, meaning it needs to be replaced?

I was looking for diagrams on the front suspension and was able to find the ones that I have attached. The first one was listed as a front suspension for a 2000 and the second for 2005-2008. The second one looks way to simple without having a coil over included. So how similar is the 2000 assembly to the 2005? I found another post that says that a problem could be the spring seats. I was under the impression from the pictures i found that there was no coil over until I looked today.

I also read another post that you responded to someone saying that you would not recommend doing this work because it is very dangerous or something to that nature. I have done some suspension work on two mustangs that I had in the past, which included putting lowering springs on them. I know taking the original springs off where a pain, and I could see the dangerous part of them coming off and hitting someone. So, since that is a much simpler suspension set up, is there a factor that makes this more dangerous? Also, I have a decent tool set including a torque wrench, but other then that and a spring compressor, would I need anything special to tackle this project?

Thanks for the help.

 

Most of the cars make the suction noise when going up and down.

The pic you posted of the later stuff just looks like the spring is not shown in the picture.
Did you check the sway bar end links as well?
Also use a socket and try to turn the top strut nut and see if it spins freely.

 

I havnt checked the sway bar end links. I went to the part store and they didnt carry hardly any volvo parts. Do you recommend a place on the web to get parts from?

It is weird, it makes the noise on the left side but not the right side. So when I try to turn the nut is should turn freely, right?

I am waiting for a parking spot to open up in our complex so that I can jack up the car. So when I am looking at the sway bar and spring seats, what should I look for?

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

I also noticed noticed an oil substance around the nut on the driver side strut. Could it be oil from the strut? When I bounce it, its sounds different then the other side, more like a maybe air coming out of it when I press down on the fender. I would say maybe the seal broke on it and that is why there is oil on it??? Could that be possible?

 

The nut should should not spin.
Pull down on the sway bar by the links. If you hear/feel clicking/clunking the sway bar link is bad.

Check out FCPgroton.com for parts.