Bump Stop? Clunk questions on front suspension.

[winsotaxc]

Just finished -- almost;-( the front suspension on my 03. Went to have my nokian's installed and got shut down because I missed the inner tie rod ends. Those aren't in the fcp kit and I missed the fact I needed them. I also have an illusive clunk I am trying to track down. could be the POS parts store sway bar end link I threw on at midnight before the appointment for the tires. (Already have proper pair ordered -- long story why I didn't do that in the first place. However, I don't really think it is that. Doubt it is the 4 point retaining nut as those did clunk for the first couple of hours after the new struts before I pulled the top nut and re-tightened them.

Looking at the fcp kit I see something called bump stops. However, I don't see them on my car and I don't see them in the parts diagram on VIDA. Am I blind? What am I missing and could that be causing a clunk?

Thanks,

Wade

[howardc64]

Here is ipd's diagram on front bump stop

http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/images_products_slideshow/fullsize_4298.jpg

On the clunk, when does it occur? Over bumps? Turning related?

I believe the 4 point retaining nut has to be tightened while the spring compressor is still on. Did you tighten them on the car with the front end weight? If so, I don't know if the front end's weight is enough. I can't remember right now but I think the spring seat has to mate against the polished chrome part of the rod on the strut with the 4 point retaining nut securing it. Here is a pic from IPD

http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/images_products_slideshow/fullsize_16875.jpg

[winsotaxc]

Howard,

Thanks for the reply! Guess I was calling out the wrong part from the FCP kit. The diagram that you showed is the same as VIDA. It is called a helper spring in VIDA and is part number 8672087. Not sure if the link below to the picture of the full fcp kit will work but I thought the bump stops they were referring to were little yellow plastic things near the base of the struts in the picture. I notice that the helper springs are listed in their parts list as bump stops but I don't see them in the picture. I do see the yellow plastic things in the picture but now realize that I can't pull them out of the parts list. I understand what you and they are calling a bump stop now but that isn't what I was looking for.

As for tightening the 4 point. Yes, I had to do that with the compressor on the spring. Everything was silent for about a mile. Actually drove the car about 100 miles then pulled the top nut and the 4 point was clearly loose. Read about that in another write up as well. Easy to tighten on the car. Not sure why it moved when I tightened to spec off the car under spring compression.

Wade

http://assets2.fcpstores.com/public/assets/products/46483/large/VFSK5-XCFullFront.jpg?1328205568

[howardc64]

This ebay picture shows the yellow/orange bump stop rest just inside top of the dust boot

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Volvo-XC70-Strut-boots-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/lAEAAOxy4XNSQ4mn/$(KGrHqNHJDkFJBjIvO1)BSQ4mmkKkw~~60_57.JPG

This wasn't there on the top of your dust boot when you disassembled the strut?

As for clunk, I've only encountered 2 of them. Once due to my strut/steering knuckle bolts became loose. The other from bad sway bar end link ball joints. The bad end link ball joints didn't feel loose on the car the ball joint showed a lot of play on removal.

[Thames]

The bad end link ball joints didn't feel loose on the car the ball joint showed a lot of play on removal.

Happend to me. I had to insist on having them removed to check play. They were the culprit.

Im also having something loose on my XC (front suspension), end links are new, im pretty sure the spring seat are completely worn, but I have no idea on how to check without removing the whole assembly. Any input ?

[howardc64]

Im also having something loose on my XC (front suspension), end links are new, im pretty sure the spring seat are completely worn, but I have no idea on how to check without removing the whole assembly. Any input ?

Main wear on the spring seat is the metal sleeve molded into rubber in the center of the mount cracks and separates from the "plate" part of the seat. You will hear creaking noises over bigger bumps.

Some say twist the top nut to see how far it twists. If the metal sleeve is completely separated from the seat, I think it will probably twist all the way around? I've never observed this myself but have seen the following picture! First picture is looking from underside of the seat with it removed. Second picture is another seat from the top side with it removed as well.

http://www.doaks.net/projects/98volvo/1998%20Volvo%20V70%20Front%20Spring%20Seat.jpg
http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/337695_IMG00004_1.jpg

I've seen mechanics peeking up from inside the wheel well to determine for cracks. Tried it myself without a lift and couldn't see anything. Probably have to jack it up high enough and look from directly under with flash light shining on the right spot.

I have a bunch of speed bumps near my house so I hear worn spring seats fairly early on. Here is mine looked like in early phase of failure.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dFBtZjWnuew/T51-ZhEQQCI/AAAAAAAACyM/9y83g_BF94U/w713-h535-no/DSCF5822.JPG

Anyhow, listen for creaks/thumps over larger bumps, try looking from top and peeking from underneath. To find early cracks like mine probably requires removal+disassembly :(

[RockitShip]

Agree... spring seat and/or strut bearing plate

[winsotaxc]

Thanks Howard,

Yes it was there but I didn't see it because it was below the washer. I installed new boots with the bump stop included so that part should be fine. Glad to hear that you have got the clunk from sway bar end link. 90% sure that is my problem and new end links should arrive tomorrow along with the inner tie rods. Should have it done before the end of the weekend depending on other stuff. Feel much better now. thanks again.

Wade


This ebay picture shows the yellow/orange bump stop rest just inside top of the dust boot

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Volvo-XC70-Strut-boots-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/lAEAAOxy4XNSQ4mn/$(KGrHqNHJDkFJBjIvO1)BSQ4mmkKkw~~60_57.JPG

This wasn't there on the top of your dust boot when you disassembled the strut?

As for clunk, I've only encountered 2 of them. Once due to my strut/steering knuckle bolts became loose. The other from bad sway bar end link ball joints. The bad end link ball joints didn't feel loose on the car the ball joint showed a lot of play on removal.

[winsotaxc]

ALL GOOD NOW! Well mostly all good;-) The the clunk was indeed from a POS end link. Changed the inner tie rod that was bad and put a new end link on and now it is quiet an firm. Very pleased with the ride and handling. However, while changing the inner tie rod I decided that although the outer tie rods are still OK, they do show some signs of wear. Seems kind of silly to put all this time and money into it and leave tie rod ends of undetermined age when I am about to up new WGR 2s on it. Ordered a new set of tie rod ends and will do that before I get the tires. I think I will leave the remaining inner as there is no play in it and I can see that it was changed pretty recently.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Wade

[JRL]

Agree... spring seat and/or strut bearing plate

Never heard a worn bearing plate make a clunk
However, a broken spring seat always will and of course a bad end link will