We've got a 240 Wagon '92, 107K on it. "Just getting broken in ....."

When we turn the wheels left or right at slow speed, as in a 3 point turn or turning into a drive, we hear a "thunk"-like noise about 75% into the turn. We also hear a deep rattle, or "thump"-like noise (i.e. a bit different than the "thunk") when we roll over simple bumps in the road while driving in town or in a bumpy driveway. We can even feel this rattle/thump vibrate just under the floorboard of the driver's feet sometimes.

I'm no mechanic (we're also wondering about our Volvo mechanic, since he can't find or fix this/these noise(s)-- he says he's "tried everything, tightened everything"). Maybe our noise(s) is/are the same as the one experienced by Zee in yesterday's discussion on "Front steering component noise". But maybe not -- she didn't mention "thump-like rattle" when going over simple bumps (e.g. a manhole cover or pavement repair square).

So my Q's are:

Could the "thunk" when turning be related to the "thump"-like rattle? Or is it a different, separate, mysterious problem?

Does anyone have any ideas I could suggest to a new mechanic as a "differential diagnosis" list?

Should I just turn up the radio and drive on?

Thanks, from a first time Brickboard visitor. .

Having had the dreaded "front end thunk" in two vehicles, in similar situations an searched via all the tried and true methods to isolate the cause in the first without success until removing parts revealed the culprit.

Due to the spring constantly loading the lower ball joint at all times, anyone taking off the spring can tell you that the load is considerable even when the strut is out of the vehicle, the lower ball joint can only be checked via large lever, somewhere in the neighborhood of three to four feet, wedged in between the ball joint and the bottom of the strut to check for play.

Even then, the visible amount of play is hard to discern let alone measure. For the do it yourselfer, with this type noise and after checking all other possible causes mentioned earlier, changing out the ball joint is about an half hour per side minimum. Cost varies.

Took me two weeks to isolate the thunk in vehicle number one. When it showed up in vehicle number two, I had a no noise situation within two days.

Change your lower ball joints.

Duane

I have a very similar clunk/thunk in the front right of my ''85 244. It makes this sound when rolling over small bumps at 5mph. I can bounce the front end up and down and duplicate the sound as well. I have had all the steering components replaced and have retorqued all front end bolts (control arms etc...). None of this solved the problem. One of my mechanics said it was probably the strut bearing. Good luck.

Dan

Tighten the 3 bolts to the control arm AKA A-arm.14 or17mm

I'd bet Mark is right. Real easy to check, don't even need to jack up the car.

I've had the thunk under my feet for years; and more recently under pass. feet. I did all the things they say about tightening bolts, etc. Had the mechanic who replaced frt shocks drive it around - he said he couldn't hear or feel - even when it was going on. Had car into the local junkyard (also the best repair shop around here) last week & asked them to check it out. They replaced the ball joints. Thunk no more!!

Another common problem in 240's is loosening of the 2 large bolts that hold the front suspension crossmember to the front frame rails. These bolts can be seen from inside the engine compartment, on the engine rails (low down by the side of the exhaust manifold, and on the opposite side in the same location) just next to the strut tower. Have your mechanic tighten them up. These bolts are often the cause of a "popping" noise when backing up out of a driveway with the wheels turned, or sometimes when in a parking lot and applying the brakes. If the bolts are slightly loose, they will allow the engine crossmember to shift a tiny amount, but the poppling noise is transmitted through the body and is heard quite loudly.

As mentioned also, the rear lower control arm bushings should be replaced - they're relatively cheap, although they should be done by a mechanic who has a press available to remove theold and press in the new bushings.

Another (although I believe less common) noise, when turning the wheel, can be caused by dry upper strut bearings. This would only make a noise as you are turning the wheel, not when going over bumps, etc.

Good luck!

Greg

my '75 with 110K does it too. just as you described. sharp turn. always when backing up and turning, (backing out of driveway) and sometimes forward. no speedbumps on my commute. can't comment on that. I also have trouble driving in a straight line on a "rutted" highway. highway that has depressions in the lanes from 40 years of heavy trucks. passing lane is smooth and no problem. slow lane... very hard to control at 70 mph. my Buicks never did it. of course couldn't feel much of anything in them. maybe they are related. i'm curious to see how this ends. i thought maybe it was ball joint or something. -Rob '75 Green 245 w/ no rust, 110K miles.

My 1990 245 experiences the same musical composition when turning and travelling in a rutted lane. Tends to feel like I am in a strong wind as it shifts with the ruts. I be following this one.

The "thump" (if it's a single one) sounds to me very much like a bad control arm rear bushing, especially if you can also feel it under your feet. A mechanic should diagnose it without trouble, but I remember when one was checking my bushings a couple of years ago he didn't notice it until I specifically asked him to check that bushing.

Turning the radio up and driving on is a viable option. You should fix the problem, but you shouldn't worry about it too much.

-Lujo

'88 240 DL 178k with a glove box that no longer pops open all the time!