1998 V70 T5M Vibration - How to tell which CV Axle is bad?

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 18 Oct 2015, 19:39

I have a vibration under acceleration only which I can feel in the steering wheel and floor. If I let off the gas, the vibration stops. I have replaced the outer tie rods, and the control arms and the car has been aligned and tires balanced. It certainly seems to be a cv axle issue. I installed a passenger side cv axle from NAPA about 2000 miles ago and I am not sure the age of the driver side, or if it is original or aftermarket. Boots on the driver's side axle are fine with no tears or grease leaking out.

How do I determine which axle is bad without removing them? I assume it is the drivers side, but don't want to rule out a bad passenger axle even though it is newer.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 19 Oct 2015, 13:49

You can try to see whether there is any play on the inside tripod bearing by reaching around the tire (turn the wheel all the way to one side), grabbing the axle close to the bearing, and 'manipulating' it to check for play. On my S80 (same system) the play was easy to feel and that was indeed the cause of my vibration under accelleration.

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 20 Oct 2015, 04:22

Thanks. I am going to get it up on ramps and see if I can move either axle. I am also going to check for play in the bearings, but that doesn't seem likely since I just replaced the tie rod ends and the wheels don't have any play in them.

My other thought is motor mounts. I have a new upper torque mount, new firewall mount and new front engine mount, but maybe one of the other two is bad. Maybe new mounts put added stress on the old ones.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 20 Oct 2015, 14:11

Good luck. I don't think it's the motor mounts, especially not since you put a couple new ones in, tHat should only help not stress the other ones I would think.

Post by **scot850** » 20 Oct 2015, 14:31

I fitted an aftermarket axle to a 93 850GLT as we had failed CV boots when purchased. For nearly 4 years I had a vibration and thought that my auto trans was going when accelerating. The CV boots failed fairly quickly, and I replaced the axle with a nearly new Volvo axle, and suddenly all the vibration disappeared. In fact, the car ran better and smoother than ever. So naturally I sold it, and bought an AWD V70 and still regret it. So even if you have replaced the axle recently with a NAPA part, it could still be crap. I do not use aftermarket axles, but have a good source of used Volvo OE I'd rather use.

Neil.

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 20 Oct 2015, 14:39

I ran into a mechanic friend of mine who put the car up on a rack for me and we checked the bearings and axles. All, according to him, seem to be fine. There is wear at both hydraulic motor mounts, but no leaking. On the rear mount, the rubber is cracking. After driving the car, he said the alignment that I just had done was off so he redid that. The car has less vibration now, but it is still there. Seems like maybe it is the motor mounts after all. Or it could be a crappy axle.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 20 Oct 2015, 14:43

What was the last major work done? The axle?
Did you have this problem before you changed CV's?
If not, you very likely have a crappy rebuild.

Newer doesn't mean Better - If the vibration appeared
after installing the new CV, it's probably the new CV.

Seaway · Post by **Seaway** » 20 Oct 2015, 15:20

The vibration did not occur right after the cv axle was installed. The new passenger axle has been on the car for about 2300 miles and then the vibration started. I replaced the front motor mount, firewall mount, down pipe, cat, front Rotors, control arms and tie rod ends all within the last three weeks. I have also had the car aligned (twice) and had the wheels balanced. The front tires have about 8000 miles on them (Conti DWS). I am going to be replacing the rear shocks as soon as I have the nerve to check my bank account.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 20 Oct 2015, 22:01

It doesn't have to start immediately to be a crappy CV.
A ground out rebuild may have all of the hardened surface
removed, leaving an easily worn base metal underneath.
Poorly remanufactured parts are time bombs.

I can not say enough good things about Raxles!

http://www.raxles.com

Tick Tock....

Post by **abscate** » 21 Oct 2015, 08:22

Are you sure it isnt an engine vibration under load? A misfire when you step on the gas will feel like wheel problems - if the vibration is load dependent I would look at engine rather than drivetrain