98 V70 Front End Rattles

[sleddriver]

Now that some time has passed and it's cooling off outside, I want to revisit this issue. It rattles over rough roads, mainly drivers side. Sometimes it 'clicks' and 'pops' when brakes are applied, when I stop after backing up. I hear 'creaking' noise(s) when turning the wheel before I backup.

Just finished jacking up the front driver side, removed the wheel and had a look. Lower A-arm bushings look good, though they're original (186,000mi) along with the ball joint (no odd tire wear, pulling, etc.)

I've noticed loose/worn rubber in the sway bar bushings before, but I've heard they're not replaceable! Have to replace the whole bar instead! I remember sliding in pieces of rubber to shore it up. Perhaps it's worn out now.

What have you long-term V-folks done about your rattling front ends?

Here's what's been replaced in the past:

1. Drvr/Psngr spring seats, bushings. Fixed that rattle.
2. "----------" sway-bar end links (Volvo brand).
3. Psngr (front) engine mount/pad.
4. Top two torque mount(s) (Volvo..no more poly..too rough).
5. Inner tie rods were replaced with the steering rack.
6. Front pads/rotors/brake lines were replaced this year or last.
7. Drvr/psngr drive axles were replaced several years ago.
8. Psngr side wheel bearing.

So this leaves:

1. Sway bar bushings.
2. Drvr/psngr lower A-arms (inc bushings & ball joints).
3. Outer tie rod ends.
4. Hydraulic motor mounts.
5. Lower torque mount.
6. Possible rattle from IPD alum. belly pan.
7. Loose suspension bolt(s).
8. Loose/rotten/petrified sub-frame bushings.

What have I missed?

I also noticed I'm way overdue for rear brake pads! I'll be picking up new ones tomorrow & installing. Rotors are fine. That may eliminate the brake 'clunking' on stop.

Anyone had good luck with aftermarket (except Scan-tech) lower A-arms?

 

[JOD]

The German-made Meyle stuff is good. The house brand FCP arm have a pretty bad reputation, but I have no personal experience.

You've gotten more than your money's worth out of your suspension components. I'd got this this here:

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-control-arms-front-suspension-kit-850-s70-v70-850cakit-my

Even if you don't need the end links right now, you'll need them eventually. As far as the noise, it's probably one of those components--probably tie rod ends.

 

[sleddriver]

Thanks. Good to know Meyle can be counted on. I'm familiar with Lemfoerder. FCP looks like they've revamped their site since I last visited. IPD also carries the Meyles and some others.

The sway bar bushing issue I'm not sure how to go about fixing. That seems like a great application for poly.

 

[sleddriver]

This evening, I put on new rear brake pads. I let the old ones get a bit too worn. They'd been in there about 60,000mi. I might need new pins & springs. I cleaned both up with a wire brush spinning in the drill press. Then lubed everything and did a test drive. Definitely higher pedal now.

Every hear of Pagid pads? Autohausaz lists them for $40. I Found them locally for $26 for a box of 4. They're a german OEM company, but the box said made in Great Britain. They also had Raybestus? I'll have to remove the grime to see what brand was in there. I think they were OEM because I remember doing the rotors and getting them at the dealer.

While there, I asked about lower control arms. One was TRW, the other I'd never heard of. The former were close to $95 ea. For that price, I'd pay $120 from the dealer. Not sure if TRW makes a quality product or not.

 

[artificialist]

Raybestos brakes are fine.
As for TRW, I have seen a variety of items from them. Often TRW made the factory part and the aftermarket part is from the same machinery. Other times I see cheap junk.

 

[sleddriver]

Wanted to post a follow-up re: the Pagid rear brake pads I installed. They seated in quickly with minimal squealing and after a few hundred miles on them, I haven't heard a single squeak. Very pleased so far. The only caveat is I haven't been able to test them in the rain. . . because it has yet to rain here in quite awhile actually. Still very dry.