2001 V70XC Horrendous vibration

2001 V70XC Horrendous vibration

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Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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Wondering if anyone can give me anything to think about.

Bought a V70 XC last year, 2.4 Petrol model, 118K. Bit over shed money. don't mind spending a bit on it but conscious of throwing good money after bad.
The car drives with a vibration. It's mainly through the steering, a little though the seat. Don't really notice it in the 30's but from 40 right up to speed you feel it more. I think there is a bit more vibration under braking too so I suspect front end. Almost feels like driving over those small red rumble strips. Doesn't bother me for local runs but I'm taking it to Le mans in June and that's a fair way with a heavily loaded shaker.

Went in for major service when I got it at a Volvo Specialist. After they test drove it they suggested it was probably the prop shaft. After researching online and finding that to be a common thing I (with gritted teeth) had it removed. £80 odd later and the problem remains.

I'm going to go back and speak to them next week and see if they think they can find the issue rather than just guess at it. I will get the prop but back in either by them or another garage if they are unable to solve.

Just wondering if anyone could give any suggestions on where to start. I don't tend to keep cars long, i.e less than 12 months. I like this one but if this remains an issue I'll prob swap to something else.

It is an auto. Dropping it into Neutral make no difference, vibration remains. Engine and gearbox seem pretty good.
Wondering if I took it to local tyre shop they would be able to check the wheels aren't buckled or some other issue with the wheels.

Last MOT-
Advisory notice item(s)
slight play in steering
o/s/f bottom ball joint has slight play
underbody corroded

Edited by Rick101 on Monday 20th March 20:47

Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Booked back into the Indy on Mon. I could try changing single wheels but that will be a bit of a pita and take a considerable amount of time compared to what they could do.

Have instructed them to leave prop shaft off for now. Start with a wheel balance check and work from there.
I doubt it's the wheels as had them balanced last year when I bought it but worth checking again. Would be nice easy fix.

Great car, bar the awful MPG so would be nice if it could get sorted.

Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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Great thanks.

Tyres are all matching, tread within 1mm and correct type etc.

Going in tomorrow so will hopefully have some news

Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Hello,

Funnily enough still on with it.

Went in for another check after prop was removed. the found remnants of some tyre slime in the OSF wheel. The cleaned that out and rebalanced all the wheels. it has given some improvement in that it has reduced vibration through the wheel. It seems there are other issues though as vibration feels more mid/rear now.

I then took it to a good wheel place. the had a visual inspection of the wheels and advised they were structurally in good nick with no obvious problems/buckling of the wheels. That was last week.

Just been down to a different Volvo specialist and he had the car up on ramps for 20 min. had a good look round. noticed the disks look worn but didn't seem to be sticking. this concurs with my checks, back of hand on disks after a 20 mile fast run with hard braking. He also checked handbrake on and off.
He did note the OSR tyre was possibly slightly oval.

Now I have booked the car back in at original specialist. I've asked to loan a set of wheels for test drive. If that cures it then it's prob that tyre. if not, I'm just going to live with it. It's only because I'm quite particular I want it perfect. Nobody else has noticed it when driving or passenger.
i've also asked them to refit the propshaft following the test as I nearly got stuck the other day laugh

Bloody cars! Love 'em

Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
Hadn't realised until mech said yesterday it was okay to run different tyres front to rear on these cars. I thought you had to match all 4 by design and depth.

Will report back if it's a tyre issue. Quite surprised it's so common. I have never had an issue like this before. Is it a 'feature' of this type of tyre? I'm running Pirrelli Scorpions.

Rick101

Original Poster:

6,970 posts

151 months

Tuesday 9th May 2017
quotequote all
Back into garage yesterday. Asked them to change for spare set of wheels and similar XC style tyres, also prop shaft went back in.

Had a test drive, some feeling from shaft but a better drive with it in place I think.Less vibration from rear noted.

On return mechanic noted VERY small buckles to 2 wheels, 1 slightly worse that the other, NSR, which is where I felt the vibration was coming from.

Original wheels refitted and I will live with it for now that I know the car is essentially safe, just slightly uncomfortable of certain roads.
Come the time to replace the tyres, I'll prob look out for a replacement set of wheels. Either that for get them refurbed/straightened.

Thanks for the advice 6 garage visits and we finally get to what you guys told me at the start!