Hi, I was wondering if you could help. My XC has developed a suspension problem which became noticed a few weeks after it pulled some heavy trailer loads. The symptoms are intermittent but frequent clunking sounds from under the car when travelling maybe not necessarily on bumps and sometimes when entering the car and sit down it goes 'clank'. Sometimes you feel a little knock through the brake pedal, also, had it hoisted 4 wheels off ground and when turn the wheel by gripping tyre with hands and turning wheel the spring moves after the end travel, it kind of twists and does about 3cm of play but only at the end of the wheel lock - whereas driver's side of vehicle spring is fixed and unmoving when carried to end of wheel lock. It is almost like the spring is not bolted well. Although everything under car and spring nuts themselves at strut on top seem fine.
Any ideas what I have to check?
Many thanks
PS: posted same in XC Forums also

Sounds like a broken spring to me. The Macpherson spring is under quite a load at all times, it should never move. A spring compressor is required for spring removal.

I am on a borrowed computer so I don't have access to my list of strut repairs. Turning the large gland nut on top with a pair of channel lock pliers should also move the spring 3mm before loading the rubber and wanting a rebound.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Sounds like a bad spring seat. Does it also occasionally squeak when going over bumps?

Try putting a wrench on the strut gland nut and twist. If the nut twists easily, but doesn't loosen the nut, then it's the spring seat. Try the driver's side too for comparision's sake. I bet that one doesn't move.
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon 214k, ex - 90 244 DL 300k

Many thanks for replies.

Any idea if V70 XC AWD is fitted with MacPherson struts?

Also, would you guys use these?
http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Stanley-Coil-Spring-Compressor.aspx?pid=12548#Description

They look nasty to me.

Which year?

I think all years are Mac strut. Know the 2000 and down were. The spring seat is a rubber support located below the big nut (gland) on top. Common wear item.
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon 214k, ex - 90 244 DL 300k

You may need a second person under the front end to look/feel around for where ever the play is while you do the wheel twisting.