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2004 XC70 Bad vibration from front end

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

2004 XC70 Bad vibration from front end

Post by Mauricei »

I'm getting serious vibrations coming from the front end which gets worse under acceleration. I have replaced all 4 hubs and rotors. Tires all rebalanced and no sign of any wear on the axles. When driving down the highway at 110 km (70) in cruise the vibration substantially increases as it climbs any incline in the road and decreases on the downhill side. Any ideas what to look for
Mauricei

chrism
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Post by chrism »

Shaking under acceleration is indicative of a CV joint going bad. You just have to figure out which axle, left or right. Look for torn boot(s) as a possible clue. If you jack up the front wheels and rotate them (forward and backward) by hand you may detect some binding, but it's difficult to replicate the conditions under which it occurs while driving.

Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

Post by Mauricei »

Yup that's what it is .... Passenger side axle

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oragex
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Post by oragex »

On this specific car, the kind of vibration going uphill at highway speed can also be caused by worn control arm bushings - the one in the front of the arm. Turn the steering to lock and check the bushing on that side how it looks. Only Volvo or Lemforder bushing for repairs, anything else will fail in less than 1 year. Also careful with the refurbished axles. Many had vibration problems with cheap or poorly refurbished parts.

Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

Post by Mauricei »

The axles I ordered are New from Empire through Rock auto. I noticed that the rubber is crumbling in the front bushings as well. The car only has 170,000 km but I guess when it's 11 years old rubber breaks down regardless of miles

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GBS
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Post by GBS »

I had vibration on my xc70 after installing a "new" axle I got from a local part place, ordered thru Rock auto. I kept the old one as it was just leaking grease, took it apart, cleaned, re-greased, assembled and installed back on car. No more vibration and the axle I bought is hanging on wall of shame along with many tools from Harbor Freight. My vibrations were mostly when cornering so I suspect the CV joint on the new one but I haven't bothered opening it, I've rebuilt two axles and I recommend that over getting a new.

Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

Post by Mauricei »

Is there a trick to removing the driverside axle.
Last edited by Mauricei on 25 May 2015, 16:27, edited 1 time in total.

Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

Post by Mauricei »

I'm having trouble getting the left front( drivers side) axle out. Is there a trick to pulling out of the trans/diff housing? I tried the pry bar to pop it out but all that did is break the pry bar.

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oragex
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Post by oragex »


Mauricei
Posts: 6
Joined: 18 May 2015
Year and Model: XC70 2004
Location: Alberta

Post by Mauricei »

Thanks for all the input. I ended up using 2 chisels wedged up both sides of the axle. By hammering them up alternately a bit at a time it finally sprung loose. After close examining the cv joint it was also leaking grease out of the boot.
Thanks again for your help!

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