I have a 2006 Volvo XC90 with 143000 Kms on it. If I drive over a manhole or hole in the road at 40 or more clicks it feels like the whole front end of the car goes sideways. I have to hold on to the steering wheel to make sure it doesn't veer to one side or the other. I have taken it in to an alignment shop and he says everything in the front suspension is tight. The brakes are new front and back. There doesn't seem to be any visible damage, bent rods or anything else.

It is AWD and I am wondering if this is just how the XC90 is or is there some problem in the front suspension that I am missing?

Thanks for the help
Chris

 

At that mileage I would suspect your control arm bushings are worn out - and I would be surprised if the alignment shop missed that.

 

Hi there: They did not miss that, everything in the front end was tight as can be. I really have no idea what it might be. I have had it up on my hoist and checked everything I could think of. All the rubber bushings are 100 percent not showing any kind of wear at all. No slop in the wheels either up and down or side to side. Yet when I go over a pothole or manhole lid the car wants to jump sideways. Whole car seems to wiggle but it could easily lose control if you were going any faster than that. I am always on the lookout for any bumps or dips that could give me trouble.

Thanks for your response