Dear Volvo Comrades:

I recently began experiencing a disturbing clunking sound when sharply turning my steering wheel to the left. I’m suspecting my left ball joint, but I’m not sure. I’m leaving on a road trip and would feel better if I could resolve this ASAP, but don’t want to drop ASAP kind of cash for parts at the dealer unless it’s really the problem. The ball joint is only a year old, but I don’t think it was of good quality. I bought it from FCP Groton, but I don’t think it’s the TRW brand claimed to be sold. For example, there was no coating on it to prevent it from rusting within 48 hours.

Anyway, it could really be several things. I’m suspecting the ball joint because the boot has been cracked for a little while and one of the bolts to the control arm is a little striped and I couldn’t torque it to spec. (I know the bolts should have been replaced). I just replaced all my suspension bushings front and back and I did do all the torque-ing to spec of the suspension members with load on the car, I also replaced the sway bars with IPD ones. I also got rear ended by an idiot in a pickup truck at a toll booth on the turnpike. He hit me at about 5 mph while I was sitting still waiting for my change. After that, the clunking started. I don’t think it caused it, I think it was just enough to cause an existing problem to become apparent.

Anyone know what I should check for? I’m so discouraged right now that I don’t even care that much. I’ve been under my brick for a good portion of the past few weeks fixing up old problems, and now I have new problem.

thanks for your help...

colbi

1986 245 in pittsburgh, pa