I have a 1999 S70 with 115K miles on it. I have a vibration in the front end whenever I brake. In order to try and correct the problem my mechanic changed the rotars, calipers and pads on both the front and back but I still have the vibration. I'm stumped. My mechanic is stumped.

Has anyone experienced a similiar problem? Any help or ideas are appreciated.

 

Are the tires ok?
Are the new rotors warped?

 

Tech, thanks for the quick reply. When my mechanic changed the front and back rotors and I still had the vibration he changed the fronts again thinking the new set may have been bad. Even after the 2nd pair of new rotors on the front I still had the vibration.

As far as the tires go they are getting close to end of life. Maybe it is the tires because I also feel a very slight vibration when i'm just driving.

Can 'bad' tires cause a vibration when braking?

 

My first Volvo had Pirelli tires. They had about 35,000 miles on them and still looked like they had plenty of tread. My car felt like the front end was going to fall out. I really thought the suspension was going bad. I was considering having the car towed to a repair shop. I drove it there and they told my tires were bad. That the belt had separated from the rubber. I did not believe them because it was so bad. I put new tires on and that fixed the problem. Same thing happened to my father in-law about a year after that. He was driving virtually the same car with the same Pirelli tires. I told him it was his tires. He didn't believe me because the tires looked good. When he changed the tires and it fixed the problem, he thought I really knew what I was talking about.

 

Jim, thanks for the reply.

Did your car vibrate just when you were driving or just when braking or both?

 

In my case it was when driving fairly slow. I don't remember it being when braking.

 

I have had alot of problems with other cars and vibrations, generally it was the tires. I have tread separated on so many now i have lost count. Usually when the tread separates i notice it at slower speed or at a particular higher speed then goes away. I also notice the vibration while braking. You might consider new rubber. I have also noticed with my volvo that the stock oem rims are particullary soft and i have had to get them repaired.

 

Zigzag, thanks. It seems to be pointing more and more to the rubber. I'll have them checked by my tire guy.

 

Tyres are inexpensive..............don't check them...........replace them if they are at the end of their useful life. Let me suggest Continental ContiTouringContacts. They work well with a front wheel drive Volvo.

 

Continetals are ok, they seem to be stock for most European cars. I decided to go with Falken ZIEX. (H) rated, double the life of a (V) rated. They are excellent in the wet and dry, cornering is awesome.

 

Zigzag, did you notice less vibration from your tires when they are cold? My vibration appears to be not as bad when I first start driving and then gets worse as I drive for awhile.

 

Yes, cold tire vibrated more. Do you feel it in the steering wheel or under your seat more?

 

Kuhmo tires are also pretty cheap and good tires.

 

Zigzag, my vibration is more in the steerling wheel than under the seat. Sometimes when i'm braking it feels like the sterrling wheel is going to vibrate right out of my hands. Keep in mind that I already had the rotors, calipers and pads changed with the front rortors being changed twice.

 

If it is that bad could be your rims, I would have a look at getting new tires and have them balanced. They will be able to tell if the rim is bent. Alloy rims are very soft and even pot holes can dent them. I have had to get one of my re-rounded (?). The only other thing I can think of off hand would be the ball joints. I had a Olds with bad ball joints and the wheel vibrated alot especially under braking.

 

I've been able to pinpoint alittle more when I'm getting my steerling wheel vibration. I notice the vibration when I first turn on my air conditioner, then the vibration settles down until I have to brake. When I brake when I have my air conditioner on I get alot of front end and steerling wheel vibration. When I turn my air off the car idles fine with no noticable steerling wheel vibration and I get no vibration when braking when the air is off. The vibration appears to be somehow related to when the air conditioner is on.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

i have the same problem as far as the vibration. however i just got new front tires and brakes(the idiot mechanic put them in wrong so they make a goofy noise) but the vibration still hasnt subsided. the vibration in mine is located under steering wheel to the left a bit. this only happens when completely stopped. when stopping the wheel does shake tho, but only a little. i hardly use AC but you do have a point as i notice the vibration when i do actually have AC on. and as far as mechanics go they are stumped as well so no progress there. i tried one method on my own and well, a good kick to the interior doesnt do much except hurt my toe[&o] if you come across any info let me know as i would like to get rid of this vibration thing

 

Try checking the engine mount on the passenger side of the car (US car).Right side there is a mount between the engine and the subframe.