We had the shock/stuts done about 1 year ago. But lately I've noticed that there's a horrible noise coming from the right wheel/strut/shock area when we go over minor bumps. It's a loud sharp creaking sound, like something is rubbing together the wrong way.

Is this a strut/shock issue? Why would it be making so much noise so soon after getting them done (at a Volvo dealership, mind you).

What else could it be??

There are many suggestions here and I'd bet on the failure of a spring seat where the installer left it a bit loose (torque strut nut to 55pds ? ) in the first place and now it pivots noisily. But a steel rod with excessively light ball joints on each end ( the sway bar link ) where one end attaches to the strut can make knocking noises where loose

Volvo parts have a free replacement for 2 years, take it back to the dealer. I suspect either a bad spring seat or a bad end link. Both items should have been replaced when the struts were changed.

If the diagnosis is the spring seat, insist that they use the spring seat designed for the XC90. These fit and last much longer than the soft V70 seats.

How many miles on your car? Did I see 110k miles somewhere?

Definitely have the struts/springs looked at. I'm assuming you had new spring seats put in at the time of the strut replacement. If not, take a look at the top of the front strut. There is a large nut there holding the strut in place. Put a large wrench on the nut and turn the nut. If it turns easily the spring seat (rubber) is shot and needs to be replaced.

If it is not the spring seat, springs or struts have a mechanic also check the inner and outer tie rods and ball joints. It is possible the outer tie rod is gone at your car's mileage but your description of the noise doesn't sound right. A bad tie rod makes more of a "clunk" sound when going over bumps. The inner tie rod and ball joint/control arm should last longer but are still worth checking...

You do not identify the year or mileage on the car.
My wife's 2003, 110K miles, was making a similar sound. Turned out to
be a broken spring, driver side front. The condition is dangerous (if it
is a spring) and I was told to park the car until replacements (front pair)
could be installed.
Art

It's a 1998 V70 and has 131000 on it. Can you expand on why it may be dangerous if it is a spring? Why wouldn't they have done the springs at the same time as the shocks/stuts??/

Also, we had the tie rods done about a year ago, too.

Springs do not get replaced, unless they are in bad shape (rarely).

Open the hood, and using large channel lock pliers, try turning the large nut clockwise on top of the shock tower. If it turns easily and does not return to its prior position, the mount rubber needs to be replaced.

Turn the front wheels to the left as far as you can. Then reach behind the right wheel and find the perpendicular end link, about as thick as a pencil. Grab it and try to shake it. If it moves, that is the source of the noise and needs to be replaced.

Both of these parts are Volvo supplied. Volvo is supposed to stand behind their parts for 2 years! Call the dealer.

If it is the strut mount that failed, have them install XC90 strut mounts rather than the V70.

Also sounds crazy, but try re-tightening the nut + torx combo on the very top of the strut (under the hood)- mine came a bit loose and therefore created quite a bit of noise and rattle. If it's that then it was a super easy fix :)

That would be wonderful it that was the cause. To be honest, neither me nor my husband know much about cars or working on them. How would we identify this part that you're referring to? And what would we need to tighten it?

I would not remove the large top nut on the strut unless you know what you are doing. Do take a large adjustable wrench or pliers and try to rotate the large nut on top of the strut clockwise. The nut is on the inner fender close to the passenger compartment. If the nut is difficult to turn and wants to return back to it's original position, that is good. If it just easily spins, then the spring seat mount is bad and needs to be replaced - just like replacing a strut, and costly in labor terms.

Did you turn the wheels to one side and check the sway bar end link? It is a pencil thin rod that is perpendicular to the ground, behind the wheel and to the rear of the axle. If you can grab it and shake it, it needs to be replaced. The noise source for many cars. Easy to replace.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

I second what you're saying about turning the nut- if it spins easily something is wrong. Could be the spring seat, but in my case the top nut was no longer fully tight onto the shaft of the strut. In my case I only had to counter hold the shaft with the torx driver while re-tightening the big nut and my problem was gone. Hopefully it's just this. And yes do not REMOVE the nut!

Both, the star nut and the large one, are to be torqued down 52 lbs.

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat