I have a 2000 S70 that has begun making a rubbing noise from the front end recently. I'm thinking it may have something to do with the struts, but the folks at Autozone said they look ok. Has anyone else had this problem, and/or any ideas on what to check? Thanks

 

What does that mean, a rubbing noise? What speeds?

 

It happens any time I hit a bump. Sounds like to me like metal on metal. As you increase speed the noise reduces.

 

So it sounds like grinding noise? Could it be that your brakes are worn out? I recently replaced the sway bar end links on our S70. It was making noise anytime we drove over patchy roads. Sounded like something was loose. Almost like a baseball in a metal bucket bouncing around.

 

Broken spring seat or broken sway bar link are the most common
Also possible is a cracked control arm bushing/ball joint.
PLEASE...
Do NOT take a Volvo to AutoZone, to them it may as well be a Ferrari, they know nothing about these cars!
Take it to a VOLVO mechanic

 

I'm new to the site but I had this exact issue shortly after buying my sons car. When i drove it I thought the car was going to fall apart when I hit a bump. I replaced the struts and problem solved.

I will add this. I noticed on this car, replacing the struts whould mean replacing everything; the large stopper at the top (inside the engine compartment) the bumper and the upper and lower mounts. I found them to be completely degraded and in the case of the bumpoer it fell apart when I took it out.

Also, I wish I had replaced the springs as well. The car had a sag on the passenger side. I thought replacing the strut would address this but I was mistaken. I'm not taking the whole thing apart again to replace them. parts are relatively cheap. I replaced the control arms at the same time and I think the hole project was right at $300 and probably 3 or 4 hours of work. that doesn't include the front end alignment.