Front End Shaking 2002 S80 2.9

pjshifi1 · Post by **pjshifi1** » 16 Sep 2010, 09:45

Hello all,

I'm new to this board and I'm really hoping that someone can help me with this front end issue.

I have a 2002 S80 2.9 (116K) with the upgraded 17 inch alloy wheels. The front end shakes at 50+ mph. Here is a list of this that I have done in an attempt to resolve this...

Both Ball Joints have been replaces
Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends have been replaced
Both stabilizer bars have been replaced
Control Arms have been replaced
Both half shafts have been replaced
Upper motor mount have been replaced
Tires are 6 to 8 months old -
All tires have been road forces balanced
Tires have been rotated
Front brake rotors and pads were replaced in the past year.

I think the only original parts under the front end are the sturts (not leaking)

With the car on a lift, I can grab the front wheels and try to get any movement at all, both front wheels are solid and don't move...

The brakes are smooth with no shaking in the brake pedal at all...

I have had the car at private Volvo mechanics and Volvo dealers, infact at the last Volvo dealer I was to told me that I will need to live with that vibration. They got it as good as it was going to get.. Really guys?

Everything that I know points to a wheel / tire issue.

I have 16 inch alloys in storage and if I thought it was as easy as just buying tires and mounting the 16 inch wheels, I would do it in a heart beat. I really don't think it's that simple, the road force balancer zeroed out all 4 wheels so I discounted this as an issue point.

I'm really out of ideas.... My wife is not happy that I keep putting money into this car, but I LOVE this car and I just want it to be right again!

Thanks in advance for you ideas and input..

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 16 Sep 2010, 13:18

I also have replaced these items as well to eliminate my excessive vibrations. But in addition, I have also replaced my front motor mount and the side mount by the passenger tire. Have rotated the tires from front to back? If the vibrations change, then you can look towards your rims and/ or tires. I had both axles replaced but you only had a partial replacement?

pjshifi1 · Post by **pjshifi1** » 16 Sep 2010, 13:57

Thanks for the response...

I have not replaced any of the motor mounts except for the top one. I have rotated tire, no change...

Maybe it's a wheel / tire combination... It just know that I had all 4 tires Road Force Balanced and they all were supposed good to go after that..

Would the motor mounts cause that sort of vibration? I not only feel it in the steering wheel, but also in the car's body...

I don't feel anything at lower speeds though, just 50+ mph...

Thanks

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:32

It really tough to pin point your vibration. I also ended replacing the wHeel bearings as well. With all the parts I replaced, I still feel that the car should ride smoother!

stevick · Post by **stevick** » 16 Sep 2010, 17:47

Maybe this is too obvious, but you did not mention in your long list that a front wheel alignment was done. On the off chance it was not done, I would definitely try that.

pj8708 · Post by **pj8708** » 17 Sep 2010, 20:09

A problem has to have a starting point. When did the vibration start and what where the circumstances?

For example, you state that the car has upgraded 17' alloy wheels. Was the vibration present before you did the upgrade?

What was the first thing you tried to solve the problem. Tire balance? Just trying to get a better picture of what has gone on before and after the problem started. Something had to cause it.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 18 Sep 2010, 12:13

Would it possible to take it to a dyno shop where you could run the car up to speed and maybe have the hood open to observe if the motor bounces or ???
I second the comment about the alignment.
I think it is a sad situation when the dealer says you have to live with it....
Could it be anything to do with the CV joints. i.e. not sure what you mean about half axles or does that perhaps mean it includes the CV joints?

__CJ__1 · Post by **__CJ__1** » 18 Nov 2010, 01:47

Just like you I have replaced all of the above mentioned parts.The vibration started when i put new tires on it.On my way home,the weights started rubbing on the metal guard for the rotor and fell off.Went back..it took 11trips & balances..3 different tire sets,new rims and never went away.I was mad as hell.The shop probably lifted the car the wrong way or dropped it..that's my conclusion.After spending $1000s we finally found the problem..the freaking RACK&PINION.Which is very expensive and labor consuming.Bought rebuild one for around $200..good thing my friend did all the work because I'm disabled and can't work on cars.For your sake I hope it's not it....!!
Good luck and hope this helped..take care

BTW that was not a Volvo..it was my Acura Integra I sold..shouldn't have..it was a great little car with 187000 on it..never left me stranded !!

pjshifi1 · Post by **pjshifi1** » 19 Dec 2010, 09:04

Thanks for all of the replies!

I finally found the issue, the person that installed my front axles failed to install the retaining "top hat" washers. So there was nothing really holding the axles from moving left to rights. The person that did the work was not the dealer, but I was really surprised that the dealer didn't see this when they inspected the car after this work was done.

It took a 5 hour drive to a good friend and a volvo tech to find this issue. I mean it really only took him not even 10 minutes to find this. He replaced the "top hat" washers and the issue seemed to go away, but really the moving of the axles left to right seems to have screwed up the wheel hubs...

So I'm going to drive it for the winter and have my friend finally fix this correctly in the spring...

537playing · Post by **537playing** » 19 Dec 2010, 10:01

interesting. But what is a top hat washer? Where does it go?