i have had my 2004 v70 since mid 2005 and it now has 215,000 miles on it. I took it to the dealer for its 200k service and I asked them to diagnose why the front end has been vibrating when accelerating at highway speeds (above 60 mph).

The verdict was that i needed not only front but also rear axles strut mounts, control arms and alignment. The bill would have come to over 4000 plus if was also due to have the timing belt replaced. So that is an extra 200-300.

My first thought was that I simply had to look for a new car. But the more I look the more I realize I would like to repair this one if I can since the body is perfect in the interior is great and the engine runs fine.

Aside from the cost of doing the repair in question is also the fact that they (the dealers service dept) feared that they would not be able to remove the axle to replace it and therefore would be stuck mid repair with the car they cannot put back together.

 

kind of confused at the parts list. Front strut mounts are an easy repair provided you have a spring compressor. Rear shock mounts are also easy - worst part is removing the trunk liner to access the top bolts. Generally these cause thumps going over bumps and not vibrations at speed. control arms can get worn bushings (200K is a full life for OEM control arm bushings) and most just replace the control arms. Any time you replace a strut or control arm, getting an alignment is recommended. Worn control arm bushings will create a light feeling to the steering and some odd cornering feel but again, not typically a vibration. So for vibrations the main causes are things that rotate - tires out of balance, warped rotors, worn CV joints in an axle or even a bad motor mount/torque rod. So if you wish to take on the vibration first, you can replace the axles without the alignment. OEM axles are going to be really expensive - on the order of $500 a pop. You can find after market axles, many of which are remanufactured OEM axles for a whole lot less - say $150 or so per pop. You may even want to consider a used part. My advise would be to go to an independent shop and ask them to price out what they'd do using an aftermarket parts supplier. I don't think the extra $1000 just to get Genuine Volvo and dealer installation for a car worth $3000 makes sense. Also, your timing belt change will run you more like $600 not $300 as you have VVT and will need to do the belt, tensioner and idler.