1999 V70XC severe shaking on acceleration

Post by **Jack Rock** » 20 May 2015, 06:44

As per the title, my car shakes or shimmies quite badly when accelerating 50km/h to 80. When cruising it is smooth. It comes and goes, sometimes mild, sometimes severe. It's more of a side to side shimmy rather than a hopping if that makes sense. I have checked all front end components, everything is tight, no rattles, no noises. Prop shaft was removed a year ago. Braking is smooth, steering wheel doesn't shake or wobble side to side. I put my snow tires and wheels back on to see if it's a tire issue - same thing. Recent changes are a new front wheel bearing, outer tie rod end and alignment. Any ideas are welcome, thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 May 2015, 07:53

Your symptoms are typical for a bad inner CV joint on one of the axles. Many of the cheap aftermarket axles do the same thing right out of the box.

The inner joints are tough to diagnose since they don't have the "clacking" sound when you turn that a failed outer CV joint exhibits. Since you replaced a hub recently that is the side I would focus on. Sometimes the joint can get stressed or hyper-extended when the hub is removed.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 20 May 2015, 08:37

When I did my front wheel bearing I broke the inner CV joint cage pushing the shaft out of the hub, just like Lee warned. I got a PnP from Erie VoVo for 100 USD next day and was back on the road, humble and better educated.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 20 May 2015, 10:07

Oh wow, I did not know that. I probably wasn't careful enough with the axle when I did the bearing. It started right after that. Don't you hate saving money only to have it cost you more

It sounds like a very probable cause, is there a way to be sure before I go buy one?

Post by **abscate** » 21 May 2015, 09:45

I tried to inspect mine but ended up popping it out to have a look. When the little metal pieces fell out and ran around the driveway laughing at me, I began to suspect the problem was found.

Thread here

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... ng#p340518

greenman86 · Post by **greenman86** » 21 May 2015, 11:12

I have never personally dealt with the issue on my own cars but I have worked on newer Volvo's ( s60s) where this is more prevalent. There are no obvious signs that you will be able to physically see on the inner joint. If you are low on funds, a used parts supplier like Erie Volvo is your best bet. I am certain that you have to get a cv axle that is specific to your xc70.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 23 Jun 2015, 15:11

Ok, finally had time to change out the right front axle on the weekend. Although the inner boot didn't look ripped there was grease all around it. I thought this was it but on road test there was no change. Still the same terrible shaking. Next steps?

I'm about to give up on this car actually, too many little things wrong which I could live with (cat, non functioning fuel gauge, huge cloud of blue smoke on cold startup). I was hoping to drive it to death as I'm not willing to fix these things but the shaking is so bad it's barely driveable. The car only has 210,000km on it.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Jun 2015, 02:53

Engine mounts possible. Especially the lower right main mount

Post by **Jack Rock** » 24 Jun 2015, 15:30

I will check them out. It is definitely a side to side shake, although the steering wheel stays stable. It's hard to explain, as if the road is moving side to side and the car stays with it, therefore it drives straight and steering wheel is still but your coffee still spills. The frequency of the shake is a similar rate to when you have out of balance tires.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 25 Jun 2015, 12:28

Weird - have you checked the other side driveshaft? You can feel the inner cv joint by grabbing the axle there and trying to move it up and down (radial play), no need to remove anything but the wheel. That bad a shake you should be able to feel that way. Aince the wheel swap didn't resolve it I can't imagine it's related to the wheels, balancing etc. Are all the suspension components really tight?