Hi! My '00 S40 just turned 52k and now I am getting an annoying squeaking/creaking noise constantly from my drivers side rear shock. It always starts after I have driven the car for about a mile.....its is most pronounced at speeds about 20-25, windows up, on even fairly smooth roads. I know its the shock because I can shut off the car and have someone push up & down on the left rear fender and I can hear the sound coming from the strut...and the other side is quiet!!!! I have been told by a dealer that this means the shock is starting to go! This is ok, if thats what it is, but with all our other Volvos over the years, I have put far more milage on than 50k!!!! Is it the shock???? Any thoughts, thanks, Bill S. Otherwise the car is fantastic!!!!

Good chance that it's actually the swaybar that's creaking in it's bushings.

On the right side is also the exhaust side, so it gets hotter/dryer there.

Squirt some rubber-friendly grease between the swaybar and it's bushing and he noise should be gone for several months at least.

Bye, Arno.

I had a similar problem, and I agree with Arno's swaybar thought. I had put an IPD swaybar on my '01 V40 last year, and a month ago I started getting a creaking from the left wheel area any time I went over an uneven surface. After hitting a pot hole, there was a loud bang and the creaking stopped. I later found that the original Volvo bracket holding the IPD snapped off. IPD replaced the braket for no charge, but said that this had happened on other V40s. My shop said that IPD is looking into developing a beefed-up bracket

Bill,

I am getting the same noise but it only seems to be on hot days after there hasn't been any rain for a while. I took it to the dealer and they lubed all the grommets and bushings and it stopped for a while but then started back up again. Personally I think it could be just the grommets and bushings expanding and not being lubricated properly. However if it is the shock and it isn't under warrenty I would suggest putting the Bilstien Touring Class shocks on your car. I haven't gotten them yet, but I plan on getting them soon. If the new shocks for the S40 by Bilstien are as good as they are on any of the other Volvo's they have make shocks for you are in for a great suprise :)

Peter
2000 S40
67,000+ miles

thanks Peter, I'll give it a try! These Bilstien touring class shocks that are on other Volvos...I take it are not OEM???? I am wondering what I have on now???I don't want to change until I have to....but what do you think would be the differance in ride??????Softer/Firmer?????? Appreciate a reply, thanks, Bill

I don't believe Volvo uses Bilstien shocks as OEM. They should though. On other cars the difference has been pretty noticeable. I am assuming it will be the same on the S40. The S40 has a very bumpy ride when you hit mutliple bumps at one time. The Bilstien shocks will hopefully make that less noticeable, so the answer to your other question is they would feel softer and make your ride less harsh. Would be more like driving a MB around instead of a Volvo. Hopefully I will upgrade these in a few months along with adding the lowering spring from IPD. I will report the difference. I am sure people will be upgrading before that though.
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2000 S40 -- 67,000+ miles