Camber readings (right side is off) - UPDATE: FAULT FOUND

[volvo300]

Hi all.

First of all, thanks for all the support through the years Really appreciate it.

Now to the bug

Last winter (2009-2010), I renewed all the bushings in the front, and last summer I drove around with a terrible sound comming from the right front wheel when I turned left... I have tried:
- Changing the springs (no effect)
- Changing the shocks (no effect)
- Changing the bearing (no effect)
- Changing the strut (no effect) - Just the strut, not the top mounting
- Changing the wheels (no effect)
- Changing the lower suspension arm bushing back to Volvo org. ones (no effect)
- Changing the radius arm bushings back to Volvo org. ones (no effect)
- There are nothing that the wheel rub against

I took the car to a mechanic shop last week to have a wheel alignment and he said that the left side was OK, but the right side was off by three times.
Left side data:
Camber: -35' (munis 35 minutes - Volvo spec says -30 minuts)

Right side data:
Camber: -1°02' (minus 1 degree and 2 minutes - over 3 times the correct adjustment)

He said that this could have something to do with the noise I hear from the front right!

Now, the only thing left I have to renew is the strut top mounting.
I have 2 new ones laying around (new style Volvo) and I will try to change and see if this has any effect...... But what if it hasen't?

The question is: "What can affect the camber adjustment on our cars?"

Cheers.
Peter

[volvodspec]

Hello Peter,

besides the sound; did you feel anything funny through the steering wheel? is it on all left corners, or on full lock or on certain speeds?

have you also checked the ball joints? http://cgi.ebay.nl/FRONT-BALL-JOINT-VOL ... 27b32cf9e0
if you have both front wheels off the ground, and you try to shake the wheels in horizotal and vertical direction; is there any play in it?

the strut topmount might be the cause of the sound; but won't be the cause of the negative camber

[volvo300]

Hi Anjo.

I feel a buzzing through the steering wheel when I turn to the left!

I also renewed the ball joints last winter... Can this cause this problem?
I must admit, that the ball joints where not the most expensive ones (~ 6£ a piece), but they seem OK!

/Peter

[Ride_on]

The lower swivel ball joint can get bent causing camber problems, but it needs a good wack, enough to bend the wheel normally.

The strut top can cause problems, but in the past I have found the top spring plate to be the main problem. If you have checked the bearing/springs etc you should have seen any problems with it. Normally the bearing seat area cracks up and the top of the strut can then move around alot.

If not those, then I guess maybe the suspension mount cross member is bent.

[volvo300]

The lower swivel ball joint can get bent causing camber problems, but it needs a good wack, enough to bend the wheel normally.

The strut top can cause problems, but in the past I have found the top spring plate to be the main problem. If you have checked the bearing/springs etc you should have seen any problems with it. Normally the bearing seat area cracks up and the top of the strut can then move around alot.

If not those, then I guess maybe the suspension mount cross member is bent.

I have had several looks at the top spring plate (about all the times I've had the strut apart) and the top plates dosen't seems to have any cracks or something like this...
The strut bearings are also new and in good nick!
The only things left are the top mount and the lower swivel ball joint!
I could try to switch the ball joints and see if the problem moves to the other side! I think I'll do that before the top mounts!

I'll get back to you all with the result (propably tomorrow afternoon).

/Peter

[volvo300]

Now here's how my afternoon went!

I tried swapping the swivel ball joints to see if the terrible noise from the front right wheel would go away or move to the left side.....

NO NO NO The noise is still there after swapping the ball joints....

Now I have two possibilities left:

- The top mounts (fit new ones to make the camber angle right... I hope)
- The anti roll bar bushings (swapping to see if he noise moves).

Do you chaps here have any other things I could try?

/Peter

[Ride_on]

If the camber is out the bottom of the wheel must be further in, or the top further out. If you have rubbing noise when turning left I would guess that the bottom is further in. You say its not rubbing, but why is it making noise then? Don't forget the suspension will be depressed on the right when turning left. With the car stopped and the wheel turned left, look to see where it might rub, there should be some marks (clean areas).

Other things to check:

-lower suspension arm bent
-lower suspension arm bush bolt bent
-Suspension cross member bent

You mentioned bearing, I assumed you mean steering swivel bearing, what about the wheel bearing? Is the wheel loose on the stub axle?

[volvo300]

If the camber is out the bottom of the wheel must be further in, or the top further out. If you have rubbing noise when turning left I would guess that the bottom is further in. You say its not rubbing, but why is it making noise then? Don't forget the suspension will be depressed on the right when turning left. With the car stopped and the wheel turned left, look to see where it might rub, there should be some marks (clean areas).

Other things to check:

-lower suspension arm bent
-lower suspension arm bush bolt bent
-Suspension cross member bent

You mentioned bearing, I assumed you mean steering swivel bearing, what about the wheel bearing? Is the wheel loose on the stub axle?

First of all.... Thanks for the feedback. I'm so happy that you guys are here to help

I have been looking into the right inner wheel arch to see if there are any signs of rubbing or anything like that... Every thing seems fine... ???
Regarding the bearing, I ment the wheel bearing. The wheel bearing is new and the wheel has no play on the axle (that's why I tried with an other strut).
The strut bearing were renewed for about a year ago (SKF bearing)

I'll have a go with some other anti roll bar bushings saturday (have some laying around) before I try changing the top mounts... They are quick to change.
I'm trying everything here, so nothing is stupid in my world right now.. As long as I get rid of the annoying sound (BBBRRRRRZZZZZZZZZ) from the right front wheel!
I'm SOOOOO looking forward to find the fault!!!!!

/Peter

[volvo300]

Hi all.

Renewed the top mounts saturday.... The noise is still there

I don't have anything else to try, so I think I'll go to a mechanics..... I hope that he can find what's wrong

/Peter

[volvodspec]

have you tried wobbling both front wheels around as i said earlier?

[volvo300]

have you tried wobbling both front wheels around as i said earlier?

Yes i have.... Nothing seems broken or unusual

I have made an arrangement with a local Volvo wizard (not volvo dealer)... Then at least there are some other eyes on the case.

Thanks all for the inputs..

I'll let you know when I have an answer to what is causing the noise.

/Peter

[Ride_on]

how about some good photos from all angles?

[volvo300]

how about some good photos from all angles?

I can take some photos this weekend and post.

/Peter

[volvo300]

Hi all.

EUREKA EUREKA EUREKA EUREKA EUREKA.....
Finally I fund what was causing all my troubles regarding the noise I had every time I turned to the left!!!

It was the engine mounts!!!! The right one was worn out!

Here are pictures of the mounts (old and new).... You can see, that the old one is remakably longer than the new one... ie., the enigne sits lower and can hit the cross member on turn!!






Regarding the camber values, I don't give a "BEEP" right now....
The car runs great, the steering is great and the spring has made it's entry here in Denmark

Thanks all for the help