My 2006 S60 Volvo with 50,000 miles has an ongoing issue that is getting worse. It has happened for years when the car formerly was my mothers and Volvo could not recreate or figure out what the issue was. When I make a slow tight turn - like into a parking space or backing out of one the steering gets tight, car almost stutters a little, and then there is a loud bang. It is loud enough that people outside the car can hear it. It feels like something is seizing up and then has to pop back into alignment. The other day when parking a friend thought I ran over the concrete barrier in the lot. Today, for I think the first time, I also heard a bang noise from the back of the car, not sure if that is related. I would say now this happens every day where before it was intermittent.

I do not have a Volvo dealer nearby so am going to bring it to a local mechanic that works with foreign cars. I'm hoping that perhaps this is a known issue or you can help with some ideas that I can bring to him, he is not used to working on Volvo's but does have a reputation for being a good mechanic.

Thank you!

 

Is your S60 All Wheel Drive? The sounds you're describing sound suspiciously like a 4 wheel drive system that's fully locked. The steering would definitely feel like it's getting tighter as you turn as both front wheels would be fighting to turn the same speed. You'd probably feel a shudder and possibly some pops and bangs as the drive train loads up abnormally and the tires hop on the pavement. If you've ever owned a true 4wd vehicle and tried to drive it on dry pavement while locked in you know the sounds I'm talking about. I don't know the all wheel drive system in Volvo's at all really, but it's possible that somethings hung up.

Another possibility are CV joints. They tend to make a clicking noise when they get heavily worn. If they're really worn I suppose they could start to make the steering tight if they're binding. Though, 50,000 miles seems low for a worn out CV. Has the car ever been in an accident? Or has it hit a curb hard at some point in its life?

Hard to diagnose something like this without seeing the car.