Vibration at highway speed

01_Nautic_V70 · Post by **01_Nautic_V70** » 05 Sep 2017, 11:40

I've recently replaced the transmission in my 2001 V70 T5 and the car runs like a dream...until 60-75mph.

I don't recall there being a vibration at highway speeds before the replacement, but there were a lot of distractions that kept me occupied (like driving in manumatic with no 3rd or 5th gear), so perhaps it was there and I didn't notice.

After swapping the transmission in, I rotated the tires (back to front only as the previous owner put directionals on this car.) I took it out for a test drive and was happy to see that the transmission was behaving perfectly. But it was showing a pretty significant vibration at 60+ mph. The console shakes, the change in the cupholders jingles, but it doesn't pull the steering wheel left and right.

I took it in for an alignment, having completely disassembled the suspension during the swap. The got it in spec and it drives beautifully...until 60+ mph. Vibration is still there.

The mechanic noted that the LHS axle outer CV joint was throwing grease, so I ordered a new axle from ipd and put that in.

No change in vibration.

The vibration is specifically above 60 mph. It is not affected by acceleration or braking, nor turning. That leads me to believe it cannot be from engine or trans. It has to be something rotating at wheel speed. The irrelevance of acceleration makes me think it is not the CV joints in the older of the two axles.

Any guesses from the audience? I'm tempted to have the tires balanced as it seems a relatively cheap and easy thing to check off.

Post by **oragex** » 05 Sep 2017, 11:49

How is the steering wheel shaking? Like crazy as well?

Maybe a check on the engine/transmission supports along with the other axle. Are both axles properly inserted in the transmission?

01_Nautic_V70 · Post by **01_Nautic_V70** » 05 Sep 2017, 12:20

Steering wheel isn't particularly shaky, so I don't think this is a left to right vibration. Same vibration whether going arrow straight down the highway or around a bend.

I can check the tightness on the engine/trans mounts this weekend. I'm sure the axles are fully in the sockets on the transmission. I don't think you can tighten the outer bearing holder on the RHS axle unless it's fully seated in the transmission.

This is the last "punch list" fix on this car since the trans starting going out a year and a half ago. So near the finish line.

Post by **oragex** » 05 Sep 2017, 13:16

Does the steering wheel shake 'vertically' like? Like it bumps? Or sideways like when a wheel is unbalanced?

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 06 Sep 2017, 15:57

How old are your tires? Could one or more have delaminated? Or is it possible a wheel is bent? Balancing the wheels, rotating them, and getting a 4 wheel alignment should address vibration due to a wheel/tire, as long as you go to a decent wheel specialist. Just as a forewarning, some tire dealers do not have the right equipment to properly do a 4 wheel alignment on a Volvo.

I had a vibration above 60mph, and it was the tires. Even though the tire dealer did the alignment, balance and rotation, I could only cure the issue with a new set of tires.
Good luck.

Post by **chrism** » 06 Sep 2017, 21:06

Try swapping the tires back and see if it at least "changes" in some way. It's free if you do it yourself. If you need to have someone else do it maybe the trans swapper mechanic would for like $20. Maybe......?

01_Nautic_V70 · Post by **01_Nautic_V70** » 07 Sep 2017, 05:46

Thanks, as the trans swapper mechanic myself, I'll swap the tires back into position this weekend and see what happens.

Post by **vtl** » 07 Sep 2017, 19:14

What tire brand and model?

01_Nautic_V70 · Post by **01_Nautic_V70** » 10 Sep 2017, 08:24

Rotated tires back to original position and the vibration is a tenth of what it was. So it's tire/wheel related.

Will go get the tires balanced but I'm probably looking at new tires soo, I would guess.

Post by **vtl** » 10 Sep 2017, 08:29

Use rotary brush to clean mating surfaces of wheels and wheel hubs.

I had to get rid of half worn Conti's because of multiple thread indentation issue on all 4 tires. Can't balance that. Conti's rep said that's alright and won't replace, so my bucks go to a different brand now.