98' S70 Noise during low speed turns

I have been noticing a griding/clicking noise in the front right of the
car when I do low speed turns (parking lots, stop signs etc). It only
happens at low speeds (I put it in neutral going 35 and I could not
hear anything). It only happens when turning so I am guessing its
something with the steering. My dad came down a month ago and he took
it in because he heard a similar noise (I usually have the radio on so
thats probably why I haven't heard it as much). I guess they
lubricated something with the steering the front but I can't remember
exactly what. I have to take it in for an oil change soon anyway so I
will probably get this checked up too. Any ideas as to the cause?

 

I would suspect the right side CV joint.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo for over 30 years

 

Ok thanks for the info, I will definitely bring it into the shop this
week since it seems to be getting more constant recently compared to
when it went in a month ago. What is the usual cost for this to be
replaced?

 

That is what it sounds like to me, too. It is easy to check for yourself,
Chris. If you look under the car at the inside of the right front wheel, you
will see a black rubber bellows about half a foot in diameter and a foot
long on the axle right near the wheel. If the bellows is torn - they
typically split about half-way around at first and progress to splitting in
two in a few months - and a lot of black grease is flung on everything
around, you've found the problem. For a '98, the vehicle age is also right
for the CV joint boots to fail.

All front-wheel drive and AWD cars have those CV joints. CV joints rarely
fail as long as the boot (bellows) is intact and always fail once it has
been torn a few weeks or so. Most people find out about the problem when
they hear the noise you describe when making sharp turns.

Repair is usually done by replacing the entire drive axle on that side. By
the time the CV joint is making noise that is really the only choice. That
is the most economical approach in any case, as the axle has to be removed
entirely for any proper repair and the old axle is usually returned for
rebuild. Prices vary widely, by shop and by vehicle. $200 US parts and labor
is about the low limit while $700 is roughly the high side. The job is
straightforward and any reputable shop can do it for a price they can quote
firmly, so shopping around is worthwhile. Some shops will try to sell you
4-wheel (thrust) alignment with the repair, but the replacement does not
affect alignment. Alignment isn't bad but isn't necessary because the drive
axle is splined in the inner CV joint to adjust its length to the alignment.

Once one side goes the other is soon to follow. It is rarely mechanical
damage that tears the boot; the rubber just ages and becomes brittle. Heat
radiated from the exhaust system is also a big factor. You may elect to have
both sides done now or wait until the other side needs it. You can drive a
couple of months with the CV joint failing like this (the grease has gone
and contaminants are attacking the CV joint), but don't let it go forever.
Driving through deep water makes the need more urgent. Noise while driving
straight is a bad sign. If it fails entirely - after half a year or so it is
a real concern - your car will have to be towed. In addition, the broken end
of the drive axle can do damage you'd really rather avoid.

Mike