Hi all...frequent reader, first time poster, so be easy on me...:-)
Since I am in no way a mechanic, I have a question regarding the cv joint/axle shaft. The car (2000 s40)has started making a bad vibration on acceleration... the harder the acceleration, the worse the vibration. Turning the wheel left or right has no effect. Also the vibration seemsmostly inthe left front side. Have pretty much concluded it's the CV joint/axle shaft.
My questions are... I found a place that sells what is called a "CV half shaft assy", but I am not sure exactly what that is. Since the problem doesnt seem to be worse while turning, is it possible just the shaft is bad and the half shaft would solve that? or is it better just to replace the whole axle shaft? Cost wise, the half shaft is 1/4 the price of the whole set-up, but is it worth it?
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated... thanks

 

They call the axles half shafts as well.

 

Make sure it's not something simple like a tire out of balance.

On the few cars I've had a CV joint go bad, they gave off an audible clicking noise especially when turning.

 

Usually if you can hear clicking its the outer cv joint. Vibration under acceleration means its more likelythe inner cv joint.

 

+1

 

Thanks all...follow up question. When the guy at the dealership said they dont sell the CV joint, but the whole assembly, what does the whole assenbly include besides the axle shaft? Would the whole assembly be needed if it's just the inner CV joint? Info I neglected to add last time... the boot appears to be fairly new, so I assume it was replaced recently...dont know if that makes any difference or not. Thanks.again for the info.

 

The axle shaft would be everything from the transmisison to the hub.
That would be inner and outer joints.

 

An unfortunate, but excellent thread. I own a 2001 S40 1.9T with 130,000 miles. I now have the same issue on acceleration and finally got it into the shop. Prior to, I had countless visits to the local tire shop to rebalance the tires since I knew for sure it was the tires. Well the local Volvo specialists here tell me the problem is / are the axles. They quoted me $400+ per side for the axle, and 5-hours labor. Total cost to include tax, labor and alignment is $1600. Does this sound accurate?

 

FCP has axles for $105 and $115 (left and right) and carry a lifetime warranty. I say buy the parts and have them put it elsewhere or do them yourself. Get it done and forget about it.

 

01_fast_ride:
Thanks for the tip; but who or what is FCP? Please advise...

 

np.
FCP is http://fcpgroton.com/volvo.htm. The longer you are here, the more you will see FCP appear in regular conversation. Its just one of the trusted sites many of us here use.

Their other site is http://www.foreigncarpartsonline.com/. If you can't find something, you can request a quote too.

 

just a follow up... got a left axle shaft for around $100 from a local parts dealer. Took the car to a friend of mine to install it and turns out it is the RIGHT one. Of course, the local parts store doesnt carry the right one. It seems lots of places carry the left but not the right...and both places fast_one mentioned are out of stock....GRRR. Oh well, the search continues...

 

Rock Auto (www.rockauto.com) shows it has them for $81 plus shipping and core. I would call before ordering just to make sure.

A-1 CARDONE Part # 609230 {[CV Half-Shaft Assembly] Reman.}
Front Right

 

FCP Groton is a seller of import parts. Foreign Car Parts, in Groton, Connecticut. Just google FCP Groton and you'll get to their web site.

 

Rock Auto onlysells the left side, and FCP Groton wont have the right for at least 2 months... any other suggestions?

 

Did you call them? I ask because they list it on the website. The picture above is from the right side and it's straight off their website. Just confused why they would do that.

 

thats odd...when I went to their site it only showed the left side,but yes I did call them and they said they only have the left side.

 

There is a right side on ebay for sale right now.

 

Just found/ordered one this morning from autopartsgiant.com for $146.57, which includes a $75 core charge. Thanks again everyone for all the assistance.