I recently bought a 2008 3.2 xc90 and it makes a clunking/popping sound at low speeds, usually when slowing. It doesn't seem to be the transmission because the shifting is really smooth, but it does seem to happen the same time the transmission downshifts. I don't think its the suspension because it makes the noise when I am going straight on a smooth road. And it only has 14,000 miles so I don't think any bushings are worn. This sound is coming either from the engine or the bottom of the car. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar problem or if they know what it could be.

 

thats odd but i would say the front struts or bushings.. bring it to the dealer

 

the noise i usually from ur brake pads or ur rear control arm bushings there is a
repair the dealer has to follow to replace the rear bolt and nut to the control arm. also is it happening more when turning and slowing down.?

 

Go with this.

 

It does happen more when I slow down, but not necessarily with hard braking. it happens alot when I am just coasting to a stop.

 

I also just bought a 2008 3.2L FWD with 82,000 miles on it. I think I'm having the same or a similar problem:

I hear a loud ticking noise from the front end of the vehicle when shifting R-N-D or D-N-R but not D-N-D or R-N-R. When I shift, the engine block moves a lot to the front or the back (this engine movement could be normal).

I hear the same ticking noise, but somewhat less loudly, when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd gear after taking off in 1st and letting go of the gas so the transmission decides to shift to 2nd with my foot very lightly on the gas pedal.
I do not hear the noise if I keep my foot steady on the gas when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd with the engine still pulling the vehicle.

The noise happens while shifting both with the vehicle fully stopped and my foot fully on the brake pedal and, with the hand brake on with my foot off the brake pedal.

BTW, the shifting is smooth from any gear to the next one, up or down. No hesitation, no rough shifts. All good.

My car is not under warranty anymore (I have 83,500 miles on it).

@bgraham: Since yours is under warranty, did you already take it in and figure out what was wrong?

Thank you

 

I haven't had it looked at yet. Its a pain to get to the dealership so I am waiting until I need to take it in for an oil change. But the noise you describe does sound alot like mine....

 

gilileao,
I have not taken my car to the shop yet, but I have a theory. the front drive axles have alot of play at the CV joints. should there be any play in the front drive axles??? I think this could definitely cause a noise when changing gears from R to D.

 

I was right, it was the joints in the front drive shafts. The dealer put some kind of locking compound in the joints and the clunking has stopped.

 

Thank you for the follow up post. I thought I had signed up to get updates on this thread but never did. I had to login to check for updates. Thanks again.