2001 V70 T5 Vibration when suspension under load

[DamoV70T5]

2001 Volvo V70 T5, 130K.

When driving at speeds up to 60MPH, if the front suspension is compressed (such as when you go through a slight dip in the freeway), I note a vibration. Seems to be coming from the front passenger side. In excess of 60 or so, I don't notice it. Problem is worse if there is weight in the car, particularly if I have a passenger in the front.

Any thoughts? Any checks I can perform to identify what might be wrong?

Thanks in advance.

DamoV70T5

[jblackburn]

Check the lower engine mount. You'll have to jack up the front of the car and take off the right tire - the mount is just under the crankshaft pulley.

Vibration at idle in drive vs. none in neutral is also indicative of a bad engine mount (though some 2001's still disengage the transmission at a stop).

[DamoV70T5]

Thanks - I will have a look at the engine mount tomorrow.

This 2001 remains in drive at a stop. Would a bad engine mount cause this if it only happens when the front suspension is under load (springs compressing)?

DamoV70T5

[jimmy57]

The axle from trans to RF wheel also could be a cause. The axle angle changes with suspension height change.

[DamoV70T5]

Thanks Jimmy - is there any easy way to check this?

[jimmy57]

If you have clicking noise from that side at crawling speeds with wheels steered fully left or right thst is classic CV joint wear.
The shaft should have zero free travel from inner joint at trans or outer joint to hub.

[DamoV70T5]

Sorry for not getting back to this sooner. Moved house in the intervening period and have had little time.

I checked the lower engine mount and it looks good, based on what I have read and pictures I have seen here and in other places. It does not look like it is in any way collapsed.

Examined passenger side axle and (a) there is some play on the inner joint to transmission and (b) the CV boot is leaking (based on squeezing and hearing air entering and leaving the boot). Outer boot looks fine.

I saw that someone posted a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfk0URzPa1I), where they seemed to have the same noise and ultimately fixed it by re-greasing the joint. Do you this this is worth a shot (just replace the cv boot and clips) or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new driveshaft?

Thanks

Damo

[vtl]

In terms of labor it would be cheaper to replace the whole half-axle. Likely you have CV joints worn after 12 years, and the shaft carrier bearing is dead or soon to be.

[DamoV70T5]

Thanks vtl. In terms of labor, it would be my own. But I get what you are saying. I will order a replacement. I have also confirmed that the passenger side spring seat is shot, looks like the upper torque/engine mount is shot also, and god knows what else. I have been reading as many of the suspension related threads as I can here on MVS and in other forums and, quite frankly, I am jealous of those who do a major replacement of most of the suspension parts and return to a "like new" front end. Mine is very loose. The last time it was in the shop, they told me they thought it was still on the original struts and they should be replaced. So now I am thinking, "go ahead, give it the works" but I am struggling with justifying spending over $1K in parts on this car. But if I got another 60K from the car it might be worth spending the money now.

Damo

[vtl]

I got this kit from FCPEuro: http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-f ... fsk5-meyle (that is not ad! . Mainly for its price, of course... Don't know how durable those Meyle's struts will be, but boy new suspension made such a difference! I didn't replace control arms, because they still have good bushings. And the replacement itself is not difficult.

If you get original Sachs then I'd expect them to last same miles as Sachs on a new car did.