Volvo Forums - Volvo Enthusiasts Forum

The easist (and safest) way to check suspension parts is to jack the car up and put it on jack stands. You can also stop by an alignment place like Firestone and ask for a front end alignment. They will tell you of any bad parts in the suspension. If you do NOT turn wrenches, I guess you'll have to let them fix it. IMO, the front suspension is the weak part of these cars.

Most common items in the front end that need work/repair/service, however you want to put it:
- Control Arms: You can jack the car and grab the tire at 3 and 9 O'clock and try to move in and out. If it moves at all, it needs replaced. At the wheel location of the control arms are the ball joints. I have seen them very loose as well.
- Tie Rod Ends: Look for torn rubber end links and any movement when you try to wiggle the wheel when jacked.
- Sway Bar End Links: Grab the end links and try to wiggle. If they wiggle or click they need replaced. They will also have torn boots.
- Spring Seats: Open the hood and bounce the car up and down while watching the top of the strut. If the nut and cap goes up and down in the strut tower away from the body frame they are worn out. Some people try to twist the parts on top of the strut by hand. If it twist, it's worn out.
- Strut Mounts: If your strut tower nut and cap is not centered in the body frame hole, they are likely broken.
- Axels: They cause vibration while driving and often have torn boots with no grease left in them. They will also wiggle when pulled on.
- Sway Bar Bushings: Boots torn and they click when you try to move them.
- Struts: They get bouncy, leak and get stuck down sometime.

There may also be bent parts. Again, the suspension place will tell you what's bad and in need of replacement.
Hope this helps.