Just back from the Volvo dealer, after enquiring as to the cost of getting the front suspension top mounts changed.

Was quoted labour of around £280
And parts quoted at £242

I'm around 90% sure thats what the knocking sound is - but can the mechanic be 100% sure that's what the problem is before they start the job?

I guess that would be around 5-6 hours labour so I suppose it's not the sort of job you would usually attempt yourself?

These are Volvo prices of course, does anyone out there have any idea what sort of price an independant garage might charge to do the job - particularly anyone that's experienced having the same job done in the UK?

Well I have contacted a couple of garages - one of which has an ex-Volvo mechanic working there, for quotes to do the job but they've not got back to me yet.

Hopefully they will work out a little cheaper on the labour.

But about the parts - the dealer said they would usually replace the Support Plates (£91 each) as well as the Spring Seats (£30 each).
I should think the Spring Seats would be the parts that are worn most, do the support plates really need to be replaced - do they wear out that much?

Having had a quick look online I have found the parts at PFS for around £130 - a saving of over £110 from the volvo prices, would there be a huge difference in the part quality - anyone used them?

Has anyone done this job themselves?

Still no further forward guys !

A local garage that was recommended to me, has had the car all morning.

They have had it up on the ramps and driven it around on the road and can't find anything wrong with it.

The knocking noise seemed to be getting worse over the last couple of weeks - hence getting someone to have a good look at it.

I was sure it was the top mounts - sometimes it's just a knock or a clonk as you go over a speed bump or sometimes even just a dip in the road.
Other times it can make more of a crunching sound and in both cases it can also be felt through the floor and pedals.

They say the mounts and joints look OK and this is driving me insane - what else could be the problem?

Any joy VV? Get it sorted?

No Joy what-so-ever I'm afraid :blush:

I don't have the money to just go around systematically replacing parts in an attempt to stop the noises so I'm at the stage where I'm just waiting for something to fail to find out what the problem is.

It's my single biggest gripe with the car (even more so that the poor turning issue)

Might get under it in the coming weeks if the weathers good but I don't hold out much hope in finding anything obvious.

Have you checked the anti-roll bar links?

Been looking around to try and diagnose a similar problem myself, did have an exhaust bracket that needed replacing coz everytime I went over a speed bump there was a bit of a clang. That got replaced and now I'm trying to chase down an ongoing rattle that sounds like something's loose. I think it could be a tracking rod or a link of some sort, but not been able to have a proper look as yet.

Do you mean the rather legnthy drop links?

I have suspected them but every time its been in the garage they cant find anything wrong with the steering or suspesion parts and I guess its not the sort of thing you could diagnose without getting it on a ramp and taking the weight off the wheels.

If a mechanic could hear and feel the noise they would probably know what it is straight away but any time they have driven the car it won't make the noise.

I just grudge parting with cash to replace parts that may not solve the problem.

I also have a rattle from underneath (possibly more to the rear) as I go over bumps - I know its not the rear exhaust bracket cause I've changed that but it does sound like something lose or vibrating.

Just get underneath your car and give the sway bar endlinks a hard tug. Should be very little movement. Endlinks and spring seat noises are common. Check your spare tire and make sure it is not causing your rear noise.