I had a little fender bender a few months ago, and began hearing a cracking noise in the front end, i later discovered that my driver side strut assembly was moving around due 2 a broken strut mount and bearing. It started throwing off my wheel alignment, it got really bad, down to the point where I wouldn't even be able 2 drive in the rain, felt like the Max was about to go sideways. This morning I just replaced my front struts with kyb versions. Also installed a brand new strut mounting kit from monroe which included a new strut bearing. While at it I replaced my sway bar bushings with energy suspension versions. I took the Max out for a road test and the steering wheel stays sideways and pulls towards the right while accelerating and wen u hit the brakes or let off the accelerator the steering wheel goes back straight. I figured ok, all i need is an alignment. (I work at a Volvo dealership, so I was doing all my work in there) I drove it back in and performed a wheel alignment and the same problem continued to happen. Did another wheel alignment and still the same thing. My max is alot worse than before. I can tell the alingment has nothing to do wit it due to the fact that when my steering wheel is straight, the Max is driving straight. Do u think I over tighten something? Strut rod bolt? Strut mounting bolts? Sway bar bushing bolts? Do u think that I have to replace the driver side inner and outer tie rod? Can someone please help?

 

Check the inner and outer tie rods. As well as the sway bar end links

 

That was my initial thought. i think driving on a broken strut mount and bearing for so long probably increased the inner and outer tie rod life expectancy. The sway bar links are a bit worn, however i didn't think that would be related to much to the problem i'm having now because ever since I've owned this Max the links have been in bad shape. I have my car in the garage for the weekend, come Monday I'll drive it back to the shop and check for play.
P.S. More ideas and solutions are still welcomed, thank you.

 

1 more thing, i also tighten my sway bar bushings while my Max was on the lift, and i made them pretty tight. I read some where that u should never tighten sway bar bushings and (or) links to the max while the wheels are suspended as this could cause the sway bar 2 bind.