clicking sound while turning right at slow speed

[2002V70XC]

Hi guys
I'm trying to pinpoint the clicking noise problem that i'm having. I'm not sure if its the left axle or the steering rack or some other bits.
My car got an alignment at a shop that specialises in steering and suspension specialist. This is after I replaced the left side inner + outer tie rods. I told them to check my front end components including the clicking problem and they gave me a list of items including: front left ball joint, control arm bushings on both sides, sway bar end links. They didn't give me a clear answer for the clicking sound problem.
I've done some checking and concluded that it wasn't the strut mount bearings (turning the wheel at stationary wouldn't result in any clicking noise). It only give me clicking noise when I turn right slowly like when getting into a parking lot. I've also done some research online and watched some youtube videos to narrow down the problem. I think its the left side axle but I'm not 100% sure.
Could a bad steering rack give you clicking sound when turning at slow speed?
What about a bad left ball joint? would it give clicking noise?
I'm also not sure about swaybar end links but mine weren't leaking at all and there was no play.
Note that there was a little bit of play on both front wheels when I wiggled them at 9 - 3 o'clock. I'm not sure if thats normal but it was much worse (much more play) when I had a bad outer tie rod.
Some ideas would be of great help!
Thanks

[kutcht1]

Sounds to me like a CV joint on your axle. That is the only thing that really is affected by turning. Had the shop that had done the suspension work checked the entire front end or just R+R parts? Usually they do their checking to find other things they can make money on.
TomK

[Astro14]

If the shop told you that you need a balljoint, control arm bushings and sway bar end links, then I would think that your troubleshooting should begin AFTER you replace those. Control arm bushings and end links, in particular, are common wear items on this chassis.

I've never seen a swaybar endlink leak...there's not much grease in it. They can feel tight and still be bad.

If you've still got the noise after replacing those parts, then read up on this TNN: http://www.volvoxc.com/0/resources/how-to/pdf/01-23-09/TNN,%20Steering%20-%20Knocking,%20Thumping,%20Clicking%20Noises.pdf

Now, if it's not just one click, but a series of clicks that are related to tire speed, then you've got a CV joint that's bad...they click with each axle rotation. You'll notice it at large steering angles at first, then, as it wears, you'll notice it at smaller steering angles, then the joint just breaks....

[2002V70XC]

If the shop told you that you need a balljoint, control arm bushings and sway bar end links, then I would think that your troubleshooting should begin AFTER you replace those. Control arm bushings and end links, in particular, are common wear items on this chassis.

I've never seen a swaybar endlink leak...there's not much grease in it. They can feel tight and still be bad.

If you've still got the noise after replacing those parts, then read up on this TNN: http://www.volvoxc.com/0/resources/how-to/pdf/01-23-09/TNN,%20Steering%20-%20Knocking,%20Thumping,%20Clicking%20Noises.pdf

Now, if it's not just one click, but a series of clicks that are related to tire speed, then you've got a CV joint that's bad...they click with each axle rotation. You'll notice it at large steering angles at first, then, as it wears, you'll notice it at smaller steering angles, then the joint just breaks....

Hi Astro,
I will replace those parts but I don't think they are the cause for the clicking noise that I have. They gave me a quote of $1200 for control arm bushings, LHF ball joint, 1 LHF end link + 1 RHR end link. I did some checking on those parts for play but couldn't find any problem with them. I'll buy all parts and do them myself but I don't think any of those caused "click click click" or "tick tick tick" or "knock knock knock". Your explanation helps me to have more confidence in saying that its the LH CV joint. I did some further investigation and found an interesting leak at the inner CV joint.
65866587
I had a bad LHF outer tie rod that caused the wheel to have horizontal play (9 - 3 o'clock). I think that caused other components to wear and the LHF axle (inner CV joint) is one of them!
Thanks Astro!

[2002V70XC]

Sounds to me like a CV joint on your axle. That is the only thing that really is affected by turning. Had the shop that had done the suspension work checked the entire front end or just R+R parts? Usually they do their checking to find other things they can make money on.
TomK
I also think its the CV joint on my LH axle (inner CV joint looks bad). I told them to check the front end for the clicking noise and do a wheel alignment because I replaced inner + outer tie rods. They did their checking and gave me a crazy $1200 quote (around $550 for parts)! I've been there twice and every time they gave me a crazy $$ quote. I go there coz they do good wheel alignment compare to tires shops.
Thanks for a good thought!

[kutcht1]

Good deal, change out the axle and you should be good to go.
TomK

[2002V70XC]

Good deal, change out the axle and you should be good to go.
TomK

I won't be able to change the axle out myself because its so hard to find a replacement axle for the V70XC. I found a 2nd hand pair from a 2005 XC70 but don't know if they would fit so i'm going with rebuild/repair option. Its weird that Volvo has all the different sizes of axles for different year models of the XC70s.
I'm going to have a local guy to repair/rebuild the axles with new CV joints on both sides for $480 AUD including labour.

[kutcht1]

So the 2002 XC70 axle is different than the V70 axle? I was just online on Rockauto.com and they had many options under $50.
TomK

[Astro14]

So the 2002 XC70 axle is different than the V70 axle? I was just online on Rockauto.com and they had many options under $50.
TomK

Yep. Not the same part...suspension is slightly different too...so struts and control arms don't swap either....

[2002V70XC]

So the 2002 XC70 axle is different than the V70 axle? I was just online on Rockauto.com and they had many options under $50.
TomK

definitely different sizes! The guy showed me a list of sizes for Volvo models and his notebook didn't even have the V70XC listed! He noted that the different V70 models have different sizes. I think I saw 04-06 XC70 which was in the same group so supposed to be the same size. Don't quote me on that though!

[JRL]

Do not go with a cheap axle

[2002V70XC]

Do not go with a cheap axle

Thanks for the good advice Jim! I went with the repair option which has a 1 year warranty so hopefully its not too bad.