I recently had my front break rotors and pads replace. Since then I have a vibration in the front end, appears to be the right side. From about 5mph to 25, it feels like I am driving on a wash board. It then smooths out with a slight hum. What could this be. It started right after the brake job.
Thanks

this is a 2000 volvo V70 XC AWD

 

Probably bad motor mounts.

 

The vibration wasn't there before the changing of the rotors. What would cause it to be there now?

 

Have you checked the mounts? If the answer is NO, go check the mounts and come back.

Here's the deal. People often ignore things until they do some work (or have some done). Then they are paying attention to every little sqeek, thump, squeal, etc. Also, you have a 11 year old car, things can break every day. Someone can tune the car up and the fuel pump goes out the next day. Is it the fault of the person that did the tune up, NO, but they will often get blamed for it. So, you replace some brake parts and a motor mount goes out. You replace one mount and still feel vibration and another one is worn and shows it's weakness, so you have another one to replace. A week later a wheel bearing goes bad and the list goes one, get the picture???

 

I will have the motor mount checked. However, this vibration isn't something I wouldn't have felt before. Is it possible that something got jolted loose with the removing of the rotor. Not saying the mechanic did anything wrong. I'm just looking for possibilities so we don't go replacing parts. Could something in the CV joint have been knocked loose? or what else would cause a washboard feeling in the first 25mph and a low whrrr at other speeds. Thanks for you input

 

ok well, is the vibration on braking or is it while driving ie at higher speeds? low speed? acceleration? etc more info always helps

 

He said the vibration is felt mainly between 5 and 25 mph.

Yes, it is possible that something got knocked loose while replacing the rotors. If something was "knocked loose" during the job, it was likely on it's last leg anyway and probably would have come loose during the next pot hole incounter.

However, the MOST COMMON SOURCE of vibration is motor mounts. You can easily check it/them yourself if you know how to change a tire.

 

found the problem. We removed the main drive shaft and found the U-Joint seized, the carrier bearing shot, and the front seal bad. driving in FWD now the problem is gone. goes to show that just because it happened right after a repair, does not mean it was the mechanic. this is totally unrelated. Now I need to find a drive shaft as this is one that is not repairable. The lowest cost so far is $750 for a new shaft set. I have not had any luck with junk yards yet to find one from there. I realize I would be getting one possibly in the same shape, but $750 is too much for my wallet right now.

 

Wow!!! I'm surprised the car moved at all.

Where are you located? A lot of these cars are now FWD. Lots of people have discontinued the AWD shaft. Do you really need AWD?

 

oh yes I do need AWD. But I'm ok until next Oct anyway. I live in Northern Michigan. our winters and roads are pretty bad and I live 18 miles out of town. 3 miles of my road does not get regular plowing from the county. sometimes its 2 days after a storm before we see a plow. At least it's spring...

 

Wow, if you need me to call my yard here to check parts for you let me know. They have about 80 Volvo's on the yard.

 

That would be great. I guess this year my car model had 2 types. one that was repairable and one that was not. Mine of course is not. I am finding it hard to find a 2 piece drive shaft for this car around here. I will be getting measurements on it this week to verify. Let me know if there are any there and how much it would cost.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

ok if it only vibrates when you brake then its your brakes...one of the cylinders inside the caliper is probably getting stuck. if it shakes on acceleration maybe its some ignition components...if it still goes into the shaking maybe its the hall effect sensor inside the distributor...if you have a distributor. might want to check the wiring to these components too...volvo isn't the best at electrical but they make a damn good engine. if its a constant shake at some speed....maybe check the tierods for some play or maybe one of your tires is bad and buldging.