Wobbling Front End on 1996 850 GLT Wagon - Safe to Drive?

[shegarty]

Was told a CV boot was ripped. Several years ago was talked into replacing some cheap aftermarket struts on the front and last year had wheel bearings replaced on front axles.

First start with the things that are glaringly in need of maintenance and get the CV axle boot replaced. If the boot has been ripped for some time I would suggest replacing the whole axle. Don't go back to the place that just did the alignment and balancing, they should have refused if there were outstanding maintenance issues. Also, don't go back to the place that sold you the struts either, these cars don't do well with cheap aftermarket parts. As suggested above, try to find a good independent shop that specializes in European imports. As to the question "safe to drive" question, the answer is probably yes ... especially if you keep it out of the speed range that causes the issue. However, it all depends on how much you want to spend when you do get it repaired. You can pretty much guarantee that the longer you drive it this way the more repairs are going to cost as the vibration will cause all of your front end suspension and steering components to wear prematurely.

[Aduzi]

Thanks for the info everyone. Your answers have been an education to say the least. We have owned this wagon aka "beachwagon" for close to 17 years. It has been a good car and an expensive car to keep on the road, you might say it has been good and expensive. Even so it has provided safety. If anyone has a used 850 they would like to sell please let me know.

Thanks again

[loosenut]

I have a wobble now on my 2006 V70r AWD.
I dropped the rear drive shaft. Nothing.
I rotated the tires. Nothing. I replaced both lower control arms. Nothing.
I replaced the right front axle, issues side. Nothing.
As soon as I step on the gas and get going. The front right wheel area shakes violently. The faster I go the more violent it shakes. Feels like it is coming from that front right wheel/area. It feels like the wheel wants to leave the car. And is trying really hard to do it. Ha.
If I let off of the gas, it stops.
I am going to replace the front left axle tomorrow..
Anyone seen this and fixed it?

[scot850]

Are your engine mounts and torque mounts good?

Neil.

[shegarty]

I have a wobble now on my 2006 V70r AWD.

This is a really old post in a P80 platform - you might get more/better responses if you reposted in the 2001-07 forum. Having said that if the vibration increases with throttle/load then you are most likely looking at bearings, driveshaft/axle or CV joint. Instead of firing off the parts cannon do some research on how to inspect those items and determine where the fault lies. Bearings are easy to check with the front end on jack stands (check for noise or grinding while rotating and side to side play with the tire still in place), driveshaft/axles are a little more difficult as it could be a balancing issue or the axle could be bent, CV should be easy if its obvious like a torn boot that has thrown grease everywhere but could be more difficult if it is worn internally without any outward signs.

[MoVolvos]

.
Just replaced both drive shafts on our 08 C30 T5 M66. Same issue of (violent) jointing and felt like the passenger side. What threw us off was we were nursing a broken driver's side outer boot for 5 years while the passenger side OE axle boots were intact. We install the passenger side first and the jolting was gone. Car has 149,500 miles.

During removal we found both the left and right rear control arm bushing were separated. Probably didn't help the vibration but the axle did fix the issue.
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