Hi, I'm newly registered here and after a quick browse of topics, I haven't found anything that might address my issue. I'm not a mechanic but I know a tiny bit about cars, enough to understand what a knowledgeable person is saying.
I've owned my 05 xc90 for just under 2 years and live in CT. After this last horrible winter, it feels like my suspension is off, a lot. It's a lot bumpier than I remember, I get "caught" in what feels like gusty wind or drafts on the highway, even when its not windy at all. When I hit decent bumps, like potholes or manholes it feels like my car (the rear mostly) is swaying toward the right, and on general bumps (back roads where I live) it feels just bumpy, rather than a smooth ride that I *thought* it had had. Any suggestions as to what's up with this beast without doing a literal overhaul of the entire suspension system? I've been thinking the control arms and/or ball joints would apply to the bumps, both little bumps and swaying on potholes/manhole covers. I thought the rear shocks would have been that problem also, and the swaying/drafting, and also sway bar links.
I had an alignment about 3000 miles ago when they also balanced an rotated my tires. My car doesn't pull in either direction as long as its a straight, level road. Otherwise, it does pull slightly to the left on the highway, but I figure that's because I live in the left lane and thought that was caused by the crown in the road (center lane) more than anything else.
I have recently (within the last month) had the front sway bar links and struts replaced. My mechanic said that the rear shocks aren't leaking, which is good since they're Nivomats @ $400 - $600 each, but he said if I was able to find them and wanted to replace, that he'd also do the rear sway bar links at the same time.
I'd like to know how I can go about figuring this all out. I trust what my mechanic says, I don't think he'd gouge me, but I'd like to get opinions from people that know more about the XC90's. My mechanic (self admittedly) is way better at older Volvos than he is with these.
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