I just bought my first volvo. I found it in a old mans garage in mint condition. Ive fixed a few minor details, Brakes, shocks and a few other things. I did notice a vibration so I checked the tranny and found a small leak in the real seal. I replaced the seal and bushing, and from experience I changed the mount as it was starting to fall apart from the tranny fluid leak. Well the vibration did not go away....heres whats happening:

From a Dead Stop (no movement fwd or it wont vibrate)
medium acceleration and I get a hallow vibration in the tranny area for a about 1.5 sec or 20km and then stops. I was thinking maybe an engine mount from the torque of the start, or maybe part of the exhaust system is banging up on the bottom of the car as I start....

any Ideas of where to start looking for such a annoying noise?

Thanks

 

Check the motor mounts. If not, then check the exhaust hangers.
Could also be a u-joint?
[what is the car again? 98 760? The 760 stopped at 1990 (I believe). Did you mean 89 760, or 98 960? But then again, I though the 960 stopped at 97?]

Edit: How many miles on her, since you found her in an old guy's garage?

 

Sorry about the year, 1989, 360,000 Kms on her, but in really mint condition. (engine rebuilt in 95)

 

Awsome...the car should give you no problems aslong as you give her a little Time Love and Care or TLC.

So did you check the mounts yet?

 

It's most likely in the driveline: driveshaft, flex disk, or u joint. Driveshaft may be out of balance, flex disk may be bad (also from the tranny leak)...

 

Interestingly, I have the exact same problem with my '91 240. I get vibration between 10-15 mph. I replaced the carrier bearing and rubber associated with it to no avail. I checked the U-Joints and have zero play in them. I spoke with a mechanic and he said that it is doubtful that the shaft it is out of balance as I would get vibrations at higher speeds (which I don't).

I have no tranny leaks. How can I check my transmission bushing?

 

I changed the tranny seal, bushing and mount with no avail. (they needed it anyway), on the vibration. Now I found out that the drive shaft is made in two parts. The mechanic says its in the coupling where the two meet...forgive me if I dont have the exact terms for the parts, but it makes sense. I will have them changed shortly and update here.

Chebucto

 

Keep us posted on whether this fixes the problem as I am very interested since my problem is similar.

I have been living with this problem on my 240 for about a year now. When I first started working on this, I actually swapped drive shafts because I had a parts car back then. This didn't really help. Right now I am suspecting my probem might be a bearing in the differential. Not an easy fix for DIY.