2004 S60 Vibration Issue with Passengers in car

[EXIT3]

I have a 04 S60 with ~106K on it. Just replaced both drive axles, four new tires and an alignment. After all this I had a vibration around 20 MPH and around 60MPH. Took it back in and had the tires rebalanced. This eliminated the vibrations but now when I have the family in the car the vibration returns. I am at a loss why the vibration is there only when I have passengers in the car. Any ideas? Thanks

[abscate]

See if your car is covered under the wheel bearing issue , recent thread with TSB posted

[Driven]

Same problem here checked front transmission mount easy to get to, the small bushing was shot, replaced the mount, vibration is gone!

[ttrikalin]

i have a similar problem -- vibration on acceleration especially with passengers and at 60-65 mph. new good tires, balanced. vibration not there when there is no acceleration.

for mine, i suspect a worn INNER CV joint.

when you changed yours did you use good quality axles?

tom

[oragex]

I would look into the cv joints and the lower control arm bushings. also check if the garage used new cv joint end bolts.

as a side note, an unbalanced wheel shouldn't cause vibrations at low speeds such as 20-30mph.

[Tonyx]

i have a similar problem -- vibration on acceleration especially with passengers and at 60-65 mph. new good tires, balanced. vibration not there when there is no acceleration.

for mine, i suspect a worn INNER CV joint.

when you changed yours did you use good quality axles?

tom

When was the last time your alignment was checked? It may be front toe is out of adjustment and causing see-sawing under acceleration load. Ensure front toes are adjusted to toe-in limit. Compliant front suspension design allows lateral oscillation to occur when accelerating.

[ttrikalin]

hello tonyx, I do not mean to hijack this thread EXIT3 started. I was just mentioning my case.

To close the loop, I have recently aligned (1000 miles, 1 month, ago), have new control arm bushings, new struts and strut mounts, new tires, and the hub diameter of my wheel is the correct one (with reference to the recent STB that some hubs have 63.5mm diameter rather than 65mm, allowing the wheel to sit off center).

The vibration appears in acceleration only (not when coasting), and at ~65mph and is worse with passengers or other load in the car. This all suggests inner CV joint. I recently renewed the gaiters in the outer CV joints in both sides, and inspected and measured the steel balls (they are uniform) and inspected the cages.

[EXIT3]

Just an update on my issue. I checked the lower torque mount and it was bad so I replacet it. After that, I still had wobble around 20mph and vibration around 55-60 under acceleration. I took it back to the indy that installed the axles to have him give it another look. He replaced the axles with a new set and it still has the same symptoms. He had no other suggestions other than lower motor mounts but said they look good and are not leaking. Symptoms are the same when the engine/trans is warm or cold. Still at a loss here. I feel it is a mechanical issue but could bad trans fluid cause similar symptom? Around 20K on the trans flush. Thanks

[jimmy57]

I have seen quality issues with loads of cv axles on many makes. The $50-$75 axles often have loose inner trunion joints (the 3 rollers joint as opposed to the 6 balls between knuckle and outer housing type)
These have to have close fit between the outer housing and the ends of the three shaft inner roller axles. The ends of the roller axles have to be finished spherically or have a spherical button to keep the inner piece centered.
I have seen it more on the RH axle.
You may need a better axle.

[oragex]

How are the control arm bushings? Especially the front one. Turn the steering to full lock and look at the bushing in front of the wheel - you can see if it's busted.