Expert: Ray Niemi - 10/15/2009

Question
Hello, I have a 1997 Volvo 960 with about 136,000 miles on it.  It was making a squeaking/creaking noise when going over bumps, stopping, etc.  I recently had the shocks and struts replaced.  It does ride better, and sits higher.  However, its still making that annoying squeaking/creaking noise.  Its not as bad, but its still enough to be annoying.  It sounds like its only coming from the front.  Could this be the coil springs going bad?  

Answer
Steve,
You need to bounce the car and listen for the noise. You can try to spray lube on the different bushings to see if it quiets down. Spray at the spring if you hear the noise there. Once you have found the area of noise then you can replace or tight as needed. If the car sits up good and takes bumps well I do not think that the springs are bad.