Newbie to V70R world

Saakey · Post by **Saakey** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:17

I just wanted to introduce myself, because I feel like I might be around here for some time... My name is Jason and i'm not new to the Volvo world, but I am new to the V70R world. I currently have a '89 240 (aka 245) that i just love--but was recently involved in a 'side-swipe' (dude just rammed me) on rt 95. I also have a '07 S80 t6, that I gave to my son for his high school graduation present recently. I've mostly owned German cars all my life--from Scirooco's to A4's and A6's, BMW's 325 and 528's... and even a Porsche 911 SC (which I kick myself for ever letting go of)... and now I finally have one of my other dream cars-- an '05, albeit automatic (but i'm okay with it-haha) Volvo V70R. It's super clean and unmolested--aka, all stock. That being said, I really want to make sure whatever I do with this car, I do smart. Currently, my concern is the driving experience. It's relatively smooth and quiet without any annoying squeaks and rattles. My only concern is the vibration or, what I like to call a reverb sensation I get through the gas petal while driving. I want to think--or at least i hope it's just the tires the previous owner put on the car. But I can't tell or say for sure. They are tires that I've never hear of--tires that are branded and named after the shop that the previous owner purchased them from--sorry I don't have the name of them currently. But wow, there is a tremendous sensation through the gas petal that I feel at higher speeds--aka, normal driving speeds (60 mph, etc) that you can feel in the gas petal. Mind you, i've never actually driven these cars before owning one, but it's quite noticeable and quite irritating. So most of the time, when I can I put the cruise control on just so I can take my foot off the petal and not feel it. Does this sound normal or do you think it could be the tires? I don't want to replace them right away, as they are virtually brand new.. hate to remove something util they are worn, but it's quite irritating to say the least. Anyway, sorry to ramble on, i just assume a car like this would drive as smooth as glass. I hope to met more of you--lovers of Volvo--as I know I am... a Volvo lifer! My favorites car(s) on the road today!

Thanks in advance - Jason

Saakey · Post by **Saakey** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:32

I was hoping to be able to post a picture of Sig--the name I gave the car--I name all my cars. But I guess we don't have that ability to post images on this site? Maybe i'm too new to post? I don't know.

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:33

Welcome, Jason. I had an '04 V70R.

First balance your wheels at a tire shop. Go for the lowest-hanging fruit.

Have you looked at our Stage 0 page?

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:34

Saakey wrote: ↑09 Feb 2022, 14:32 I was hoping to be able to post a picture of Sig--the name I gave the car--I name all my cars. But I guess we don't have that ability to post images on this site? Maybe i'm too new to post? I don't know.

Click "Full Editor & Preview" button, big n blue. Then "Attachments".

Saakey · Post by **Saakey** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:48

matthew1 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2022, 14:33 Welcome, Jason. I had an '04 V70R.

First balance your wheels at a tire shop. Go for the lowest-hanging fruit.

Have you looked at our Stage 0 page?

Hey Matthew - thanks for your reply. Nice to meet you. well ironically the shop I took it to--who also did the Maryland inspection, said I needed to balance my tires--aka, they claimed wheel weights were missing. Which seems odd to me... why would any shop just assume wheel weights were missing unless you took each wheel off the car and spun them. Anywho, that drew a red flag for me. So they claimed the wheels needed balancing... but to be honest, they don't seem any different (or better) than when I took it in there. So with that being said, i would like to think this was done--but again, who knows for sure.

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Feb 2022, 14:52

Look for the weights. You'll be able to see them through the spokes. Also look for missing weights, they'll leave an adhesive patch or just a void in the brake dust.

Post by **Krons** » 09 Feb 2022, 17:19

I agree on starting with wheel balance.

My kids 02 S60 2.4T had a vibration at 70mph under acceleration, ended up being passenger CV shaft (180,000 miles). Based on your mileage could be a possibility, easy to check for play in them at your next oil change.

Saakey · Post by **Saakey** » 09 Feb 2022, 18:38

matthew1 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2022, 14:52 Look for the weights. You'll be able to see them through the spokes. Also look for missing weights, they'll leave an adhesive patch or just a void in the brake dust.

Right, but my point was, those little weights change/move based on getting new tires all the time. How could a shop just assume i had balance issues based on stating i had wheel weights missing

But they do feel out of balance to me.

Saakey · Post by **Saakey** » 09 Feb 2022, 18:44

Krons wrote: ↑09 Feb 2022, 17:19 I agree on starting with wheel balance.

My kids 02 S60 2.4T had a vibration at 70mph under acceleration, ended up being passenger CV shaft (180,000 miles). Based on your mileage could be a possibility, easy to check for play in them at your next oil change.

Hmmm, that's a good point. I'm at 180K now. Although I just went through a thorough state inspection.. and man, they dig you for every little thing from a chip in your side marker to a little play in your ball joint. They didn't say anything about the CV's. _Plus the guy I bought it from said it had ripped boots and he just replaced the shafts instead of just doing the boots. I do feel like this is tire and balance related. fingers crossed.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Feb 2022, 10:14

The cheapo shafts are notorious for being junk right out of the box or soon thereafter. For a lot of issues on these cars, work done by the previous owner is a red flag not a bonus - many aftermarket parts are crap.

If you can find out where they bought the replacement shafts that would be useful. Or look for branding on them. GKN/Lobro is pretty much the only sure way to go.

Also keep in mind there is no clock for failing parts but knowing when some had problems is always helpful. It's not unusual for these to go bad around 200k but the great majority of them are still fine. Irrelevant for your car's axles but something to keep in mind.