Bought my 2007 2.5T S60 with 45,000 miles on it almost 5 years ago. Quickly noticed a soft but consistent "thump-thump-thump" sound and sensation under driver footwell. Mechanic dismissed it, saying "That's just Volvo's, they're quirky like that, don't worry about it." Then I drove in my friend's 2007 S60 and his car does NOT have the thump-thump-thump so something is wrong.I read that it could be the wheel bearing so I replaced them but it didn't go away. Car drives fine and it's never gotten worse so I learned to live with it.

Six months ago I replaced all the tires and thought, "Maybe this will fix that thump" but no. Then I had to replace the strut mounts and I figured "surely this will fix the thump-thump-thump" but no.

Only things left I can think it is is A) CV boot/axle -- but it looks great, no sign of rubbing or wear anywhere; B) Lower control arm -- bushings are a bit worn but intact; or C) A motor or transmission mount.

Any ideas? I am now preparing to replace the car so I either want to fix this so it isn't an issue with the buyer or at least tell them what it is. Thanks.

 

also inspect motor/transmission mounts

 

There is a technical service bulletin about putting an O ring above the rear sub-frame mounts. The TSB is not for the S60, but the same P2 assembly.

 

Thanks. Did some reading on the symptoms that those O-rings are supposed to cure and it did not match what I am experiencing. Got some advice on another forum to check the lower control arm and it seems fine. I am probably going to drop by a Volvo specialist and get an expert opinion because if I spend another Saturday installing hundreds of dollars worth of new parts with no improvement I am going to set fire to this blasted car!

 

Original poster here -- took my car in to a Volvo specialist and it was the left-front wheel bearing. Makes sense but the only reason I did not expect it was because I replaced both front wheel bearings at about 45,000 miles. So, don't be surprised if your wheel bearings fail early on your Volvo. I've been driving for almost 30 years and have had cars go well past 150,000 miles and never even had to think about bearings until I bought this Volvo.

 

curious - did the problem go away with the new wheel bearing or are you in the process of getting it installed. I did replace both fronts on my 850T - did the right at 175K, and just did the left at 200K (I can live with once every 20 years or so...) Also, I am wary of some after market brands for certain parts which could be part of the short life.

 

The new bearing is installed and the problem immediately disappeared. I should have examined the bearings when I recently replaced my spring seats but I was convinced it was anything BUT the bearings due to their low mileage. When I bought the car I read that along with the transmission, the wheel bearing assemblies were weak points on the S60.