2001 XC 70 Front End Shaking

mhubert · Post by **mhubert** » 30 Jun 2008, 13:57

I have a problem that a few mechanics can't seem to figure out. It's a 2001 XC 70. THe problem starts around 25mph and continues until whenever. The front end shakes pretty good. THe stearing wheel doesn't go with it. I originally thought it was a out of balance tire, had them all rotated and re-balanced. I then realized, it only happens when accelerating, if I take my foot off the gas it goes away. My mechanic thought it was CV joint, he replaced the front drivers side, it had a torn boot. He then told me a had slipped belt in the passenger rear tire, had a tire guy look at it, that wasn't it.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Mike

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Jun 2008, 14:18

Could be the axle spines itself...is it more on one side than the other? Have you had any other axle work done recently? Hard to tell unless you get it actually checked out. Another cause could be a bad wheel (not tire)...one that is slightly bent but you would usually see that and feel it in your steering wheel. You could rotate tires front to back to see if it helps. Lastly, could be your engine mounts...especially the one on top (it's in a round aluminum casing right above the engine on the left hand side)....if it's totally gone and you have another engine mount going (especially the one right under the timing belt) you could get some pretty bad vibrations. What stumps me is "on acceleration," which takes me back to the axle spline theory, so get that checked out first...your axle could even be broken off in the transmission- it's been known to happen with some of the cheap Chinese after market axles.

Edit: Oh, another though I just had: Because your car is AWD, it certainly could also be your Bevel Gear...actually, that would make more sense than the spline theory I had. I would get it checked out. It could be bad...and need replacement.

mhubert · Post by **mhubert** » 01 Jul 2008, 06:42

I looked at my motor mount on the top that is attached to the cross bar. It seems like the rubber grommet that is in the motor mount is basically gone. I'm assuming the rubber should look like a spoke or something, only a top and bottom piece is still there. The bar that goes across the back of the motor moves forward and backward quite freely. How much play should there be in the bar? it moves about 1 1/2" back in forth quite easily. could this be the problem? or at least a good portion of it?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jul 2008, 07:52

It certainly could be. There shouldn't be any movement there.

Several places sell the replacement for this (fcpgroton.com, eeuroparts.com as well as ipdusa.com). Among the choices from IPD, I believe they have a polyurethane mount that will last the life of the car.

mhubert · Post by **mhubert** » 01 Jul 2008, 08:14

Thank you, your information has really be helpful. I hope it's this mount, I'm ordering one from ipdusa today, I saw the upper mount on the site, do I need to, or is there replacements for the bushings under or around the two bolts at the ends of the bar it's connected to?

Thanks again

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jul 2008, 09:21

This page?

Then there are 2 listed. If the holder for your mount is round (which it probably is considering the model year), then the second (less expensive) mount and center piece shown in the picture is all you need. The hardware to attach it is already in your car.

If your mount is not round (changed out earlier for some reason) then your only choice is to replace with either the innards of the square style or get what IPD has in their fist picture/offering.

Btw, even though IPD says you have to have a press to get the old mount out, you're not re-using it so just take a hack saw (careful not to cut into the metal/aluminum housing) and cut the sucker out.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » 05 Jul 2008, 19:01

A mechanic here in eugene showed me with a prybar how worn my control arm bushings were.... I am living with it until i get around to buying powerflex poly bushings. Whatever you do, make sure you get a lot of opinnions, while some mechanics will say you need entire assemblies such as control arms, bearings, etc when all you may need is a bushing or etc simple fix.

mhubert · Post by **mhubert** » 07 Jul 2008, 11:59

Just got around to replacing the upper motor mount on my 01 XC 70 to get rid of the front-end shaking when I accelerate. It only took about 10 mins start to finish. Needless to say, it didn't fix it, it did give me a vibration at idle. (Not concerned) Still looking for a fix.

Thanks for the advice.

Mike

Post by **JRL** » 07 Jul 2008, 14:53

HOW MANY TIMES?
It really helps to post your MILEAGE

mhubert · Post by **mhubert** » 08 Jul 2008, 11:40

This is the first-time I've replaced the upper motor mount. The car has 120,000k on it.