Hi there,

If you got the IPD flyer, you should follow their instructions concerning how to diagnose front end clunks. I just replaced my tie rods and end links and the clunking is gone. Tomorrow it gets realigned. Not a real difficult job, especially if you get decent parts.

That's something you need to be careful about. At IPD you can just order parts, they will always be top shelf. At FCP, you need to know what you're ordering. Meyle, TRW, Moog are all supposedly good stuff. I had trouble with Hamburg Tech because they used goofy interference nuts for the end links which were a cheap PITA. That's the problem with being a DIY'er; without a wealth of experience, you can get burnt on purchasing less than satisfactory parts. Figure out what you need to replace, then get some help from the more experienced on the BB. Don't ask how I know.........Good luck

Marty Wolfson
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90 244 219K, 93 244 169K, 93 244 109K, 99 V-70 78K

Based solely on your description, it sounds like your mechanic might be right about the CV joints.

It's doubtful that shocks/struts are causing any noise at that mileage, but sway bar end links are an extremely common problem on our cars. I'm about to replace mine for the second time, at only 75k miles. The sound that they make is akin to having a big, heavy metal bar rattling around under your car which, in a sense, is exactly what's happening. If your mechanic is not particularly familiar with Volvos, I wouldn't expect him to know about the end-link problem on these cars, and if he was just going on your description, that could explain why he's thinking about CV joints.

BTW, FCP Groton has much better prices on the end links than IPD:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/CSV70/csv70suspension.htm

At 68k miles, it's almost a given that they need to be replaced. And the fact that you can hear this noise while going straight is only further evidence supporting worn sway bar end links.

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Jim Rothe, '99 S70 T5M,
http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/index.html