V70 AWD question
 

Hello Forum,

This V70 AWD [auto] is my first volvo and I am more than pleased with it. I do have a concern about some noise when turning at parking lot speeds. It sounds like a 4WD truck or jeep with the hubs locked. Clunk, Clunk, Clunk. There is no noise at highway speeds. The tires are all the same pressure and tread depth. Several people with more volvo knowledge than I [ford guy now a volvo guy] have said different things. "All the AWD's do that at low speed" or "The viscous coupling could be going" and "I don't know". I have yet to call my local volvo dealer service.

Is this noise normal? Unusual? Unheard of? Does anyone else have this noise? I recall somewhere that you can test the coupling by jacking the car up and spinning a wheel. Does anyone know of this or a link to a description?

Other than the noise this car is sweet! Good neutral handling, little body roll, smooth acceleration and shifting. Plenty fast - good braking.

In any case, If anyone has info for me.......


Desmoduck

[IMG]local://upfiles/2111/314155A951884B7F94240FDA1AA28651.jpg[/IMG]

RE: V70 AWD question
 

It could be the Viscous coupling.Also they had a problem with a noise like that and there was a tech note about flushing the trans fluid or something like that to make the noise go away.
Contact your local dealer and see if they will give you any info about it.
I will see if I can dig up anymore info about it.

RE: V70 AWD question
 

Hi... my new purchase is exactly the same with only 72K miles... not sure that they should be like that... am about to contact my local dealer... will tell you what the say, cheers Mark

RE: V70 AWD question
 

Went to my main dealers yesterday and they put the vehicle up on ramps... the middle support bearing on the propshaft drive to the rear wheels had an inch or so of play resulting in the noise at low turning speeds... they say this is the problem and are so confident that they are replacing the whole propshaft under warranty... hope this helps, regards Mark

RE: V70 AWD question
 

I Went to a Volvo Specialty shop, and was expecting them to tell me that my Prop shaft was bad as well. It was also making this clunking sound. It is the bad design of the center support which is too large and ends up wearing out quickly. They informed me however that my prop shaft was good, should give me a few more years of service, and that this is a flaw on the 1998 models specifically. When it begins to make noises on the highway, which mine does not unless I hit a big bump, then you know it is time for a replacement.

When the wheels move at differnt speeds the shaft binds up and gives in the middle, which is the 'thump thump thump' we hear. As long as the other bearings are OK you can 'Run It.'

Craig

RE: V70 AWD question
 

Hi there,

Had a similar problem with my V70 1998 AWD. Humming/vibration sound between 32-37 mph. So brought my Volvo to dealer and was told that it was the propshaft bearing. Is it possible to change only the bearing, not the hole assembly?

Antoine

Antoine, I was wondering that myself -- how did you make out?