I have a 98' volvo s70 glt 110,000miles

To tech: you state that if the main strut bolt turns then something is bad. Last week I changed my cv joints, left lower control arm and l and r front struts. I spent about 600 in parts (includes two new wheels and tires) . Well after installing the new struts tothe springs and strut mounts and mounting the struts to the car. I observed a 1/4- 1/2 inch gap between the sealed bearing and the rubber bumper. the gap cant be removed because there is a four sided nut in between the rubber bumper and the sealed bearing. Anyway I dont see how the main nut(above the bumper) could possibly turn considering theres a nut right below the bumper. Anyway. My dad claims that gap is fine(its on both sides too) and that the bumper is only meant to absorb vibrations when hitting more significant bumps. I swore there was never a gap before i even touched the shocks, but i cant prove it. Maybe someone with a volvo s70 glt 98 can see if there is a gap or not. Another reason why i think there shouldnt be a gap is on todays test drive, i notice a creak or groan right at the end of my braking to a stop and also when i begin moving again. I suspect there is forward/ backward play in the front suspension and its coming from the gap between the bumper and sealed bearings. Also when the car was on jack stands, the downward weight from the spline/strut assembly and wheels removed the gap. Only when the car was on the ground(upward force) was there a gap. So i suspect thats defintite play there! What do yall think? Am i obsessive focused on the wrong thing?

P.s.-I am 19 (oh so thats why he did this himself and no wonder he made these mistakes)

 

There will be a slight gap there.
But it should not spin.
I am guessing one of 2 things happened.
1. The 4 sided nut isn't tightened enough.
2. The upper spring seat(Rubber plate that the bearing goes on) is broke.

Also when you replaced the control arms did you Load them properly?