Hi all

there is a noise on the front passenger side of our xc90 diesel 65 reg.
140k miles

the noise, like a knock (a bit of a clunk), come when the vehicle is turning in that direction and / or acceleration from walking speed.

There is also a knock when the car is ticking over. - i thought this might be a loose exhaust hanger, but on inspection, the exhaust is OK and only moves as it should. Although there are two flexible pipes near the exhaust flexible unit. These 2 pipes do seems to knock against the heat shield.

With the wheel up in the air Ive wrestled with all the joints around the wheel. Ive done this to both left and right wheels to compare. Everything feels solid and looks in good condition. I had suspected the anti roll links but they seem solid - although i have not removed them from their connections.

Gripping the tyre and spinning it back and forth there is an audible clicking. Doing the same to the other side, the clicking is very faint, perhaps only transferred noise from the passenger side. I then firmly gripped the drive shaft, engine end, and with the car being rocking back and forth, it felt like a creaky knee.

I strongly suspect that this is the knocking when accelerating and turning left. I am thinking of tackling the job myself but I may have to send it to a garage and I dont want to be given the run around. (Im ex military, disabled out and sometimes Im more capable than other times)

Does the diagnosis sound correct?
Can this be fixed or is it a case of replacing the whole shaft?
Why does it only occur on left turn and not right ?
Could it be simply a lubrication problem? (I do doubt this!)
Are special tools required to sort this?
Can anyone recommend a parts dealer and general price? (Im in Leicestershire)
What would be the knocking on tick over?
Is there a thread with detailed write up and pictures for this job? Ive not found anything so far
The family rely heavily on the car. Is it inadvisable to continue to drive it?


thanks for your attention

 

Sounds like a bad CV axle. Search a little on that.

 

I agree it sounds like the CV (constant velocity) axle. see if the rubber boot is in good shape (if it tears and loses grease the joint will go bad but the joint can just wear out also).

but it shouldn't make noise when car is idling so you may have a separate issue.

 

I would inspect the CV boot to make sure it is not cracked. Adding grease to it could help especially after 140k miles.

I am assuming you have inspected the control arms and ball joints. As well as the engine mount and transmission mounts. The only wild card on something like this would be the sub frame bushings. I am big on reccomending these. Because they seem to be rarely diagnosed even by pro mechanics. If everything else looks good but you have some play in the wheel and when you brake the car wants to shift to one way or the other. Also when you are driving at higher speeds and has to make even marginal direction turns on the freeway and the wheels feel like they have a life of their own. Then it very well could be the sub frame bushings.

From everything I have read and seen. Usually from 120k miles to like 180k miles it is suspension issues. Once you get over like 200k from what I have read and seen then the CV axle would make more sense. But definitely just look at boot for too much wear. Maybe buy some extra grease and the correct clamp and fill that sucker up if it looks ok.

I will say at 140k miles, the sway bar end links like you mentioned are probably about do for replacing. Same thing with the engine mount, transmission mount, and control arms/ball joints. They creep up on the end of their life at this kind of mileage.