2001 S60, vibration from transmission?

[paul1149]

I put quite a bit of work into my '01 S60 a year ago, among which were new front axles. The dealer quoted me $2200 for the job, and I thought that was ridiculous, so I took the challenge and did it myself.

Though I found it difficult, it ultimately went well, but one thing concerned me. The axle on the driver's side did not extend out flush to the face of the hub. It fell about 3/4" shy. In the end I didn't think this would be a problem.

The problem I have is, after doing this work a subtle vibration surfaced. It's a midrange tone, and I feel it on the floorboard, not the steering wheel. Now it has gotten worse in the past two weeks, and it's noticeable on the transmission shift lever. It's mostly felt at highway speeds.

I have zero idea what this could be. The tires are good, I had the front end realigned. Could removing and reinserting the axles into the tranny cause this problem? I've triple checked everything else and find no problem.

The tranny does have a touch of slippage going into 3rd gear, but only rarely. Otherwise it's fine. I've never changed or added to the transmission fluid, which is full.

I'm looking for guidance, because if it continues to worsen, it means the car becomes undriveable.

Thanks,
Paul

[Blacklab467]

First off, what brand of axles did you install? Also how fast has the vibration gotten worse?

[jonesg]

did you lay the new and old parts alongside and compare their lengths.?
seems to me the shaft has disengaged due to being too short.

[Blacklab467]

did you lay the new and old parts alongside and compare their lengths.?
seems to me the shaft has disengaged due to being too short.

I recall there was a thread a couple years ago where this issue surfaced, the aftermarket replacement part was shorter and incompatible resulting on the driver's side CV axle falling out of the bearing hub/ knuckle. Did you feel the circlip seat in the transmission end when you installed it? Also, again, what brand of parts did you install? Part number may also be helpful for this thread.

[jonesg]

did you lay the new and old parts alongside and compare their lengths.?
seems to me the shaft has disengaged due to being too short.

I recall there was a thread a couple years ago where this issue surfaced, the aftermarket replacement part was shorter and incompatible resulting on the driver's side CV axle falling out of the bearing hub/ knuckle. Did you feel the circlip seat in the transmission end when you installed it? Also, again, what brand of parts did you install? Part number may also be helpful for this thread.

it probably engaged the clip but being short at the knuckle end, the hub bolt pulled it out as it was tightened.
some spacers might prevent it being drawn out again if the splines aren't toast.

[paul1149]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm glad I checked back. For some reason I got no notifications. Will have to check on that. I recall it happened last time too.

@Blacklab467
I don't recall the brand, but it wasn't the cheapest. The passenger side came from FCP Euro. They had a hard time sourcing the driver's side, so I got that from CarID, but it was the same axle brand.
The vibration stayed the same, extremely subtle, for a good fifteen months. It's only been in the past week it got noticeable worse. Say it went from a 1 to a 2 or so.

@jonesg
Yes, I laid the old and new parts together. It's been a long time, but I don’t recall a significant difference. Wish I could be more specific.
But no, I'm quite sure that the shaft has not disengaged. It still had about an inch of engagement, and once in place it's locked to the hub to prevent end-play, IIRC.

@Blacklab467
I'm really stretching my memory, but I think the tranny clip did engage the axle shaft.

Passenger side: FCP: GKN 8252046
Driver side: CarID: GKN 305561

They were a good $250-300 each.

Also, here's a pic of the drivers side. Despite configuration differences, the overall lengths are close, but I think the hub shaft is shorter on the new one.

front axle4.jpg (28.5 KiB) Viewed 206 times

[Blacklab467]

GKN is what you want and probably the best. I find that length difference alarming and concerning. Do you still have the old ones? I think that length difference to be problematic. Check your order application and make sure you got the right shaft for your car.

[jonesg]

@jonesg
Yes, I laid the old and new parts together. It's been a long time, but I don’t recall a significant difference. Wish I could be more specific.
But no, I'm quite sure that the shaft has not disengaged. It still had about an inch of engagement, and once in place it's locked to the hub to prevent end-play, IIRC.

its locked to the hub by the bolt.
but its not locked to the trans output, the circlip has probably pulled out of its slot.
I would reinstall the original part and find out.

[paul1149]

That sounds like a reasonable theory. I don't have the old one.

Sourcing this part was a saga. FCP sent it to me, when I pulled the original I was alarmed because it was so much longer than the new one. So I called and they went through a deep dive, and came back and said the part was wrong and they could not locate the correct one. So I returned the part, not knowing what to do, because no one had the part number FCP now told me was correct.

And then I realized that when I pulled the original axle I had sprung the CV joint under its boot. When I placed it back correctly, the part was now several inches shorter than before.

So I was thinking I created a fuss for no good reason. Meanwhile I contacted CarID and they recommended the same part that FCP had sold me. I went with it, and that's what's on there now.

If I had the original I probably would put it back on, at least as a test, but it's gone. I guess I should get under the car and see if the axle is still fully in the tranny.

[Blacklab467]

Get under your car and have a look, the gap between the axle and the transmission housing on the drivers side should be about 1/8 of an inch to 3/16 or 3-4 mm. If its significantly greater, the axle has popped out.