I have an 09 s60 2.5t. I had my struts and an alignment done about a month ago. Everything was perfect for a couple of weeks but now im hearing a horrible noise when making tight turns (in and out of parking spaces usually) i hear a sound like metal catching on metal. It is coming from my right front wheel. It always happens at the apex of the turn and then again when i straighten my wheel. It only happens if the car is rolling, never when its stopped. When the noise happens you can see the wheel jiggle. I feel like my wheel must be catching on something but i cant imagine what. Any input or advice would be appreciated. I have no idea where to start.

 

Probably just the backing plate. You can try pushing it back from the rotor with a long screwdriver through the spokes of the wheel.

 

Thanks ill give that a try. I hope its that easy. Wouldnt that cause it to make a consistent noise tho? What im dealing with isnt consistent at all.

 

Not necessarily. In most cases I've seen, its on sharp turns only.

 

I pushed it back as much as i dared to. it didn't seem to make a difference. there's about a half inch gap between the rotor and the backing plate. how large of a gap should there be? I can fit my finger between the two all the way around. the noise I'm hearing/feeling is more of a solid clunk than a scrape. it feels like it might be coming from deeper inside. any other ideas?

 

I have seen shops leave the rubber isolator out that sits between the spring and strut mounting plate for the spring. If the spring was binding or jumping because they reused the upper strut mount or the upper insulator then that could be where your sound is coming from. Look at part #36 in this diagram to see what the lower rubber insulator looks like:

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/products/Volvo/S60/Insulator/8684669/31329206.html

#8 up to #4 should have also been replaced. Many non-volvo shops reuse these parts and send you back out the door only to encounter more squeaks thumps and bangs down the road.

 

I'd really have to hear it and inspect it to help. Possible ball joint, tie rod end, control arm bushing, etc.

 

the struts that were put on were full coil over assemblies bought from IPD. I'll double check then tho. Thanks

 

i read that the control arm bushings are notorious for going bad. I haven't checked mine but im at 160,000 miles. I wouldnt be surprised if they were worn out. Theres a definite clunk accompanied ny a slip in traction in the middle of tight turns. You can see the top of the wheel "pop" outward a slight bit. Would the bushings cause that?

 

Yes, they can.