Stuck on the side of the road

[pauldunlop22]

Early this am about 2am got in my 02 v70xc drove thirty feet turned right onto a street and bang a load noise began coming from left front wheel. Worse when I try to back up
Metal grinding or tubing sound. Rubber smell from inboard six of wheel. Nothing visible unde car. But it felt as though something broke (glade I wasn't on the highway!
I am parked waiting for a tow. Does anyone have any idea what could have happened
I have recent new brake pads
I drove very slowly two blocks so I could be reached by a tow from the front
And it is now four am pouring rain. It I am so glad this did not happen later today when I would have been on the expressway.
Any help appreciated thanks

[Xfingers]

Quick thought, check your large coil spring on your left front wheel suspension to see if it's broken. Unfortunately, known failure item. I've replaced 3 broken springs so far.

[Astro14]

I'll second a broken spring...

[billr99]

Yep. More than likely a broken front spring.

Good Luck,

Bill

[pauldunlop22]

Hi just got in will be awhile before my mechanic has time to assess my car. I would guess that since I still had accurate steering that a spring maybe the problem.
Will update with the mechanics report.
Thanks everyone

[pauldunlop22]

If that happened at highway speed could I loose control of car.

[pauldunlop22]

I should have write. In my comment that I have no idea what it feels like to have a spring. Dean. NAND that your suggestions may be the situation. I felt that the upper and lower tortion arms must still be attached the wheel is still straight and steerable though with rubbing sound metallic
However the car is leaning several inches Down on the left side
I hope that the tire is ok I could smell burning rubber smell
My mechanic said that if it is a spring will need to replace both sides not sure where to source these Volvo parts quickly. Will know the situation in four hours.
Later
Thanks

[pauldunlop22]

Sorry about my spelling
Am writing this on an iPhone
Sometimes it fills in words that I don't intend to enter
I should have written that I do not have any idea what it feels like to ha a spring break. Never had that happen
But it was pretty scary. I am very attached to my car and hearing all that grinding sound got my mind racing on what had I hit or run over or whether this problem would be fatal .. too expensive to repair etc

[Astro14]

I should have write. In my comment that I have no idea what it feels like to have a spring. Dean. NAND that your suggestions may be the situation. I felt that the upper and lower tortion arms must still be attached the wheel is still straight and steerable though with rubbing sound metallic
However the car is leaning several inches Down on the left side
I hope that the tire is ok I could smell burning rubber smell
My mechanic said that if it is a spring will need to replace both sides not sure where to source these Volvo parts quickly. Will know the situation in four hours.
Later
Thanks

I have no idea what you mean by "upper and lower tortion arms"...and think you need to take a good look at this front suspension once your mechanic has worked on it...or take a look at some "How to" guides on replacing the front struts. It's got struts in front...one lower control arm. That's it, except for steering link. But that spring (that probably broke and caused the wheel to hit the fender liner) is on the strut, and if it breaks, the lower control arm (along with the steering knuckle and tire) get a lot closer to the top of the strut...

Anyway, it'll make more sense when you look at it. Classic strut suspension. Spring failure is common on this car (though many of us have never had one) and would cause everything that you describe.

It does surprise me that you didn't feel anything, or notice how that corner of the car was lower...so, maybe it isn't the spring?

[billr99]

My mechanic said that if it is a spring will need to replace both sides not sure where to source these Volvo parts quickly. Will know the situation in four hours.
Later
Thanks

Autopartsway.ca which is in the GTA somewhere (Mississauga ?) has Lesjofors (OEM supplier) springs from about $100 to $120 CDN a piece depending on which ones your chassis needs. Might take overnight to get them to your guy but I would think no longer as I've gotten stuff from them in just 2 days over this way.

Good Luck,

Bill