OK, so despite my guess about the noisy front suspension being CV joints, it is instead broken springs.
Both front springs are broken at the top. The car sat for about a year and when moved, apparently the springs broke.
SO, apparently Volvo was having some problems with the front suspension in the late 90's. It was changed in 1999, then again in May 2000.
A new spring is available from FCP, listed only under the 2000 year, non under 2001-2004. Then an upgrade kit for the 2000 front suspension. Then various struts (damper assys) are listed for 1999, 2000 and 2001+.
If I use the upgrade kit, which strut do I get?
Will the 2000 spring fit?
If I got a 2001 -2004 complete strut from the junkyard, would it bolt in?
Then I could buy a strut for that year and be away from the 2000 year problems.
These cars seem to break springs, there are reports of rear springs breaking too.

Frankly, I'm amazed by this (apparently Fords do this frequently too). In this day and age of modern metallurgy, plus the fact I have never broken a spring (car rallying included) over 40 years of driving AMerican, Japanese, German and lots of Volvos this seems ridiculous.

What do you know. What is the best course of action?
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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 93 945 Turbo AW71, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47