My new-to-me 2001 S-60 T5 (was in the family since new-I've only had it 200mi) with 103,000mi just started a VERY noticeable vibration (through the steering wheel, and can be felt in the seat of the pants) when applying any throttle at all above 15mph when straight ahead or turning left.

If the car is steered right, no amount of throttle will cause vibration.

Also, no vibration can be induced while coasting regardless of steering wheel position.

The car recently had almost $5000 in repairs (lower control arms, some motor mounts, inner tie rods, upper strut bushings at an indepndent shop), but no one mentioned the axles. Six months ago, the timing belt change alone (Dealer) was over $1600 and they didn't even change the water pump, and they replaced the driver's window regulator, which cost them $1100. Add a $700 alternator, after a new $5000 transmission last year, my relative was HAPPY to sell me the car at a good price after dropping almost $15k in repairs in the last 15 months, but it seems the bad luck is possibly continuing.

I suspect a half-shaft CV joint (would like opinions), and would like input on which one usually causes vibration turning left.

I have not yet obtained a shop manual for the car. Would I be correct that replacement procedures would be similar (or identical) to a 850 or S-70 (which I do have a book for)? I have not yet gotten the car off the ground to look at anything.

I plan to just replace both half shafts with rebuilt units, starting with the best guess of which one has failed first. Obviously I am going to do the job myself.

I still have a 740, and had a much-missed 965, but the S-60 seems to have entered a new era of maintenance requirements compared to my earlier Volvos. Or does this one seem a bit of a hangar queen? Just want to know what I've gotten myself into! 100k miles used to be considered "low mileage" for previous model Volvos, but this S-60 seems awfully "needy."

Thanks-
Bob

 

I think you are on the right track with the half shaft solution, I had a similar experience here is the thread:
https://volvoforums.com/forum/showth...hlight=shaking
btw in my case it was the right axle shaft and replacement is straight forward like the 850.
good luck

 

Thanks!!

Funny thing is the other day I took the car out again, and NO vibration, though the previous drive it was vibrating like I had a wheel about to come off.

I know it's not ignition (given it didn't do it turning right), but when the car comes to a stop, and I guess the tranny shifts into first, sometimes there is a "clunk" like the engine is shifting position, though I can go from Drive to Reverse under some throttle and there is NO clunk or engine movement.

Strange.

I changed the torque rod mount once myself (the dealer wanted $460; the part was about $60 and it took all of 15 minutes), and it's almost new still (Dealers sure have a lot of "chutzpah," but after charging $1600 for a timing belt, and $1000+ for a drivers door regulator and glass, I shouldn't be shocked.)

I didn't know there was a similar LOWER torque rod and mount. I'll look into that.

Still could be a CV joint if the ***** are hanging up under certain conditions and not allowing the axle to stay inline I suppose.

Bob

 

sounds like a half shaft to me. if the inner joint is hanging up on turns, it will vibrate the car quite noticeably.