Entire car shakes only when I accelerate

tmoose27 · Post by **tmoose27** » 25 Oct 2010, 21:10

My 2000 S40 shakes when I push the gas peddle. It seems to be worse going up an incline. If I release the gas the car stops shaking. The car sounds like it is not getting any power or like it is struggling. Normally does not start to vibrate until you hit 50 MPH and will vibrate as long as you are trying to accelerate. There are no check engine lights or warning lights of any kind. I'm not sure but it seems like the problem is in the suspension or front end. Could it be a fuel pump? Also heard that a hole in a vacuum hose could cause this? Wanted to get your opinion before I got someone to look at it. Thanks

Post by **jblackburn** » 25 Oct 2010, 21:17

If you floor the gas, is there power there, or does it just feel like the engine's lacking?

If the engine revs up and accelerates OK, then you've most likely got bad inner CV joints on your axles.

If the engine feels weird, that's definitely something to look into. Drop by an auto parts place and scan for codes before we start guessing as to what may be causing it. Even if there aren't any lights on, Volvos will still store codes.

tmoose27 · Post by **tmoose27** » 27 Oct 2010, 17:21

Thanks! I feel like it has the power there...I reved the engine while it was in park and it sounded great. I'll try to floor it tomorrow on the way to check for codes but I have a buddy who works on 18 wheelers who told me he thought it was something like the CV joints so that makes me feel better. What can happen if I have to wait a couple weeks to get it fixed? Money is tight...Thanks again

Post by **jblackburn** » 27 Oct 2010, 17:40

Nothing bad will happen really unless they seize up (doesn't happen much) - they just make it very annoying to drive.

DrinkingWaterMan · Post by **DrinkingWaterMan** » 29 Oct 2010, 21:42

I am a medium skilled when it comes to maintenance and I just replaced the passanger side drive shaft for $150. You can get them cheaper if you find a place that does core deposits. Much easier to replace the whole thing then rebuild the CV joint. Napa had them for about $70-$80 with core. I also found a website that has tons of parts for Volvo's for much cheaper than most auto parts stores:
www.carpartswholesale.com

nwhitney · Post by **nwhitney** » 29 Oct 2010, 22:05

tmoose27 wrote:Thanks! I feel like it has the power there...I reved the engine while it was in park and it sounded great. I'll try to floor it tomorrow on the way to check for codes but I have a buddy who works on 18 wheelers who told me he thought it was something like the CV joints so that makes me feel better. What can happen if I have to wait a couple weeks to get it fixed? Money is tight...Thanks again

I just replaced my front passenger side cv axle and it was a whole easier than I thought. I bought my cv axle from IPD for $130 and no core deposit. Volvo brand cv axles seem to run about $400. You could also check into having them rebuilt.

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 29 Oct 2010, 22:12

Also check the engine supports, maybe some cracked rubber lets the engine shake!!

Medusalith · Post by **Medusalith** » 13 Nov 2010, 16:23

My V40 had the same issue, once I got to a certain speed it shaked all over. The problem was the tires needed to be replaced and calibrated.

Chuck21387 · Post by **Chuck21387** » 07 Feb 2012, 09:23

Just ordered my Passenger CV shaft from napa, $47.50 with exchange of my old one

Howard_Woodard · Post by **Howard_Woodard** » 08 Jun 2012, 19:35

Taking a chance that someone is still looking at this thread. I have the same symptom and most likely the same problem. My question is how you decided that it was the passenger side CV. Why not the driver side? Why not both?

Also, what part number did you purchase from NAPA?

Thanks in advance.