Wife's 01 XC70 has a tick over 90K on the clock. Just recently she complained of a light rattle/clunk coming from the passenger front when going over bumps. I drove the car and confirmed it. I got out of the car, opened the hood, and put my hand on the strut cap on the fender mounting point while bouncing the front end. Each time I bounced the car, I could hear a slight click/pop noise and feel a slight pop on the top of the strut. I'm assuming I found my cause of the noise.

I just did the 90K service on the car and checked the struts, mounts, CV's, etc when I rotated the tires and all looked good. I also replaced the sway bar end links last fall, so they are good.

What do you think, time for new struts, mounts and spring seats. or???

Glenn

 

We replaced front Shock/struts, upper bushings back in Nov '08 on 1998 XC70 - you may want to know Passenger side CV Joint is unique to this Year [not sure about your '01]- but your Upper Strut bushing noise could be from interaction with spring & plate or could be as bas as a cracked spring

It's well worth $$$ replacing the Struts, if the rest of the front end is still holding up well

 

Recheck the links and see if the strut nut turns.

 

1998 XC AWD with 190K---Clunk in left front passenger side when going over bumps--getting louder. All new tie rod ends and every thing looks tight with the wheel off. But the top rod and nut of the strut turns by hand where the drivers' side does not. Do I have a broken strut? What else might be causing this?

 

Spring seat might be bad. That is what it sounds like.