Volvo: 1999 Volvo S70, life time warranty, sway bar links

Question
QUESTION: Ray,

I have two questions about 1999 Volvo S70, non Turbo.
1) Upper engine mount is cracked and it especially shows when the transmission is in drive.
It appears that it has indeed poor design as ipdusa.com says.  http://ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?CategoryID=256&NodeID=4720&RootID=629

They sell a different polyurethane bushing that consists of two parts and they say is life time warranty and easier to install than that of Volvo's. What could you recommend for that?

2) The car seems to vibrate a bit more when in drive and not moving. the vibs disappear when the transmission is in neutral. There is also some intermittent high pitch noise about 2-3 times a second when in drive that also disappears when in neutral. What could possibly cause the vibrations.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Dmitri
ANSWER: Dmitri,
I always use the two piece poly bushing when replacing the upper mount.
The vibration might be the lower motor mounts. Look to see how close the Trans is sitting to the rubber bumper that is mounted on the sub frame. (Left side of car). If there is only 8mm clearance then the mounts are weak and have sagged. I can not really say what the noise is, that is something that needs to be heard and traced to it's origin.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ray,

Local mechanic who is specializing in Volvos replaced outer CV boots on my 1999 Volvo S70. A week later, while replacing sway bar links at a different place I noticed that each new CV boots have a wire sticking out. When I pulled that out I saw that it looks like two broken retaining circular rings or clips. See picture below. Actually I wish I could attach it. The broken half rings are slightly larger that a quarter in diameter and it looks like the ones supplied with boot kits.

My guess is that it is that ring that is supposed to hold CV joint and drive shaft.
Here are my concerns/questions:
- Is my assumption correct?

- Assuming it is correct, what would one have to do incorrectly during assembly/disassembly to get a broken retaining ring to perforate a CV boots?

- were the snat-on rings more likely crushed/broken by contact with CV joint parts o by hammering during assembly?

- One of the concerns is that the other halves of the broken hardened retaining ring are still inside both CV joint and that could cause damage to the surface hardened parts inside the CV joint (I think it is called brinneling) and accelerate premature failure.

- My big concern that absence of these retaining rings could cause CV joint disengagement and loss of power. I have seen that happen intermittently on an old Accord. I am more concern about this since my kid is driving the car.

Please let me know what you think about all this.

Thanks for your help Ray.

Dmitri.  

Answer
Dmitri,
I always use the poly upper bushing, good choice.
There is a strong possibility your right about the CV failing and wearing out. No way really to say what caused the broken rings. I would look into some rebuilt axles and have them replaced. There are even some new axles that one can buy, compare the prices.