2008 Volvo S80 front end vibration

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 24 Sep 2015, 16:06

I have a recently purchased my second S80. About three months ago I started noticing a vibration that seemed to be coming from the front passenger side wheel. I checked pressure, balanced tires, and rotated tires but nothing seemed to help. I've replaced both front axles (the right one twice) and alligned. After all this it ran fine for a couple of weeks then today started again. It mostly happens when cold but always when it is or has been raining. Any help would be appreciated if anyone is familiar with this problem. Thank you.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 25 Sep 2015, 12:25

Is the vibration constant or does it appear at certain speeds? Have you checked the engine mounts? Strange that it went away then came back. Does this model have an intermediate bearing on the passenger side driveshaft and, if so, was that also replaced?

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 25 Sep 2015, 14:27

Hello, thank you for the response. It seems to be happening on acceleration (when I coast it goes away). After I have driven for a while it is less severe. My mechanic said that I probally had issues with engine mounts but that is seperate from this. The vibration is different. Not sure about intermediate bearing replaced complete axles,waiting for mechanic to call back but I'm afraid he's stumped. It's a 3.2 non-turbo with 112,000 miles if that helps.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 27 Sep 2015, 07:11

That it occurs on acceleration points to the driveshaft. I've heard bad things about cheap ($100-150) axles as in, bad out of the box. Replaced my passenger side axle with Volvo original and that finally cured my vibration-on-acceleration I had been grappling with for over a year. So I wouldn't rule that out as a cause, especially because, after replacing, the issue went away for a while. Try to find a good original Volvo or a good rebuilt one, would be my suggestion. Good luck and keep us posted.

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 27 Sep 2015, 23:37

Thank you for the help Cees. I have been using $100-150 FEQ axles. My mechanic hasn't returned my call so tomorrow I will try and find the engine mount to see if they could be the root problem and if not replace with a Volvo axle. Hate to spend the extra but probally should have to begin with There is such a big difference between $150 and $500 when I wasn't sure of what the problem was. Thank you again for your help, I will let you know.

Post by **chrism** » 29 Sep 2015, 16:01

Any chance you or your mechanic still have the Volvo drive shafts laying around? If so there are places that will re-machine the CV joints and install larger balls - somewhere around $100/shaft.

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 29 Sep 2015, 18:39

Good thought, not sure what he did with the original and he isn't returning my calls. The first one(FEQ) I sent back to discount dealer, after restocking and shipping I hardly got anything for it, the current one(FEQ) is on it and I have to drive it to work. Got under it yesterday and the current one still looks OK. Ordered an engine mount and if that doesn't do it, going genuine on the right axle. Thanks for the suggestion though, I doubt he still has it, at the time he asked me about it and i said I didn't need it,that was 3 months ago.

crussell83 · Post by **crussell83** » 17 Nov 2015, 20:44

Skund84, I am having vibration issues as well and I think they are similar to yours. I had a bad vibration during long right hand turns (clover leafs, on ramps, etc.). I immediately thought right front wheel bearing. The right half shaft was already replaced, so I ruled out the carrier bearing. I have since replaced the front right wheel bearing and it has improved the vibration issue, but it is not fixed. I am thinking that I may have to do the right rear wheel bearing. My understanding is that wheel bearings vibrate when they are unloaded like the clover leaf comment above. I can also cause this vibration a second way. If I travel on a straight but rolling country road, I get the vibration as I top each hill and the suspension unloads. There is conversely no vibration at the bottom of these rolling hills when the suspension on all four wheel is loaded. When I have a chance, I am going to see if I can separate the vibration. I want to see if I can separate the feel to early in the crest of the hill or late.

I have only had this car a little while and I am still trying to get all of the original issues fixed. I am open to alternate diagnosis if anyone thinks I am heading in the wrong direction.

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 19 Jun 2016, 17:50

Chris, sorry for not getting back sooner, didn't get a notification. I live in Florida so I haven't seen a hill in years. I eventually went with the FEQ axels and ended up replacing all four engine mounts on the right side. That seemed to help probally should have started with the top right one because it was the most worn, but I still have a vibration when I accelerate turning right. I tried replacing rear tires to no avail so the direction you are headed sounds plausible.