I noticed a vibration on my 2009 XC70 and thought I needed a wheel balance. However, the vibration is also there at lower speeds - it seems to be consistent around 2000RPM no matter what gear it's in.

Has anyone experienced anything similar to this?

I do have some bearing noise which seems to be coming from my diff but I'd be surprised if they're related unless I'm getting some sort of resonance at 2000RPM? When I had the car at the mechanics they said the diff noise was minor and I should wait until it gets worse to make it easier to pinpoint exactly where the problem is. That "bearing noise" comes and goes depending upon whether I slightly add power or slightly remove it.

 

Hi, have you located the vibration yet. I have a 2006 XC70 and have the same issue. Well when I say the same, its around 2000 rpm in most gears best as I can tell. My local mech says its the torque converter not locking up or trying to.
I'm not 100% sure but I plan to drain and replace the ATF a couple of times to clean out the old stuff.

 

Hi, not yet. Funny you should ask now because the car is going to the mechanic tomorrow (there's always a waiting list in NZ - especially when it comes to European cars).

Recently I had a problem with the gearbox changing from 2nd to 3rd. I had the valve housing replaced which fixed that but thought I'd mention this to you because the ATF was replaced during that time - and I still have the vibration issue. I have my doubts changing the ATF will help you, but you never know. I also had the software updated for the engine/gearbox so I wouldn't waste your money on that if you get that suggestion as advice.

I actually had a similar problem with a Honda Accord 10 years or so ago. I was forever taking the car back to the tyre place thinking I'd lost wheel balancing weights but it was something else. Going downhill the car used to vibrate when applying the brakes.. so I had the discs skimmed. No difference. It was definitely something in the transmission on that car too.

I have a couple of issues with my XC70 at the moment. I have a lot of bearing noise coming from the diff or rear wheels. That will be the main focus of tomorrow - but we'll see what they say about the 2000RPM vibration. I notice is even when driving up my steep street in 2nd gear. I don't really understand how the lock-up system works. I thought it was just something that kicked in in top gear.. kinda like when the car knows there won't be any gear changes for a while.

I have a hunch you will be correct though..probably will be another visit to the automatic specialist for both of us.. Keep me posted on how you get on,

 

Good luck with the mech tomorrow. I will be interested if he had any theories on the 2000rpm problem.
In my mind the only things revolving at the same speed each time in any gear at 2000rpm are the engine and the torque converter.
everything else, prop shaft, drive shafts, wheels etc must be turning at a different speed.
I have read that TC lock-up is only in top (6th when cruising) but someone told me it does it in 3, 4, 5 & 6. I am trying to confirm which is correct.

take care

 

So.. the car has been passed around a bit.. The first mechanic sent my car back to the automatic transmission specialist. They have came back and said that there's nothing wrong with the torque converter and are advising that it is drive-line related.
The car still hasn't been returned to the first mechanic yet so I'll have to see what they say in regard to the next steps.

Just been a week of diagnosis. The main reason I took my car in for was to get some bearing noise fixed which I think is coming from my diff. That hasn't been fixed yet. It will be a while to source parts and I'll have to rebook when parts become available (e.. second hand diff/new bearings).

 

So.. I still haven't made any progress on this issue. My XC70 just had it's diff bearings replaced which was the major annoyance for me. Now I'm left with the judder problem still.

The automatic transmission experts are saying "we don't think it's the torque converter, check the drive line"..

My mechanic reckons the engine mountings are good, no play on the driveshafts. In fact he's just saying he doesn't know what the problem is. If I task him to look at it, he'll just systematically replace everything in the car which will cost me a fortune. I really really want a definite diagnosis on this one. No fault codes are being raised.

My judder is there in all gears but most noticeable when accelerating uphill at lower speeds (2nd, 3rd gear between 1800-2200RPM, peak at about 2000RPM). At 100kmph in 6th gear, it feels like wheel balance. Wheels have balanced and rotated anyway but that of course made not difference - and as I keep telling these mechanics, it's more noticeable at slower speeds/lower gears at 2000RPM.

Does that sound like a gearbox/TC issue?

The transmissions guys managed to cause a weep on my gearbox when I had the valve housing replaced and I'm waiting for a new gearbox sump pan to arrive. I'll push them once again since they were saying "let's check it again once you get your diff sorted out". I'll see if I can get them to sit in the car with me this time as well. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of transmission experts around here so it's hard to get a second opinion.

I'd love to get this sorted - it's the only pesky thing that's bugging me with this car now.

 

Your description of your problem is word for word how I would describe my issue. I have had 3 independent Volvo specialist look at my XC70 and they all drove it. Two said they can't honestly say what it is but felt that the transmission was ok. They both said just drive it until it gets bad enough to leave no doubt as to the root cause? Problem is it bugs me and I may be creating a bigger, more expensive problem. The 3rd garage said could be transmission and suggested fitting a used box. I am not willing to spend that sort of cash on a maybe.
I have been doing my own analysis, moving wheels round, transmission fluid change, shudder stop additive, new gearbox and top torque mounts, all with no change.
I do now know the front and rear vacuum mounts are not holding vacuum so the front one is on order and I should get it changed in the next week or so. I think I will change both but the rear one looks more difficult to access.
I will post the results when its done.

Lucky Pete

 

Yeah I hear you. These cars should be lovely to drive - that's why I bought mine. The thing is, juddering like that can't be doing the engine mountings any good. My upper mount was replaced before I got the car. I know they are a common weakness but wouldn't surprise me if all this juddering contributed to it.

I heard mention of these "vaccum mounts" somewhere else. What are they exactly? I'd be interested to know how your replacement goes.

 

Are vacuum mounts on all XC70s including non-turbo models?? Just been watching a video and the guy was saying it was causing problems with his turbo.. I don't understand how engine mountings and a turbo relate to each other - quite surprised that they do at all. But anyway.. my XC70 is just the plain 3.2L non-turbo petrol so I don't even know if mine has vacuum/pneumatic mounts or not. Anyway.. let me know how yours goes @Lucky Pete . Best of luck to you - I hope it works out.

 

Jittering and vibration felt at the wheel or in the front cabin can also be caused by a dry axle cv boot or the axle itself.

Inside the boot, the CV grease (lithium grease) should be plentiful, so much so that it covers the joint inside the boot so that you can barely see it.

If you can see the joint, then it's low on grease, so just apply a tube of grease and re-seal the boot .

If it's the CV boot at the axle, then this should be a cheap fix. Get some grease, grease it up and reseal, and off you go.

Volvo CV Joint Boot Kit - Rein 272441 | FCP Euro

 

Thanks. There is a high likelihood that I have several things on the go. I think the car has an electrical issues at the moment. I replaced the ignition coils and while checking the wiring harness connectors I found that 2 of the fuel injector connectors have broken clips. The car is refusing to go when I put my foot down and sometimes cranking far too many times before it starts (even though it idles smoothly) so I'm going to replace those connectors first. I thought I was getting a judder around 20-30kmph but now I'm wondering if it's missing when under load. It used to start straight away so I have definitely upset something in the ignition or fuel injector area. My camshaft sensors connectors have broken clips too and I think they're the same type of connector as the fuel injector connectors. Anyway, I'll replace all 8 connectors when they arrive and see what happens.

I have 3 more engine mounts in the mail too.. If all of this doesn't improve things I'll definitely be going down the CV/driveshaft path.

 

I appreciate this thread has gone silent but did any of you get to the bottom of this? I have a very similar issue on a 2.4l 2005 V70. Climbing a slope between 50 and 60 is a juddering, shuddering, nightmare. Take the gas off and it's fine, but you need to have the gas down to get up a hill! Flooring it gets me closer to 70 where the problem eases off. Otherwise at low speeds it's running lovely. thanks

 

usual culprits are motor mounts/torque rods, transmission mounts or axles. Check the axle boots for any tears or oil leakage (allows in dirt which can ruin the bearings in the CV joints), check youtube for vids on how to test motor mounts, particularly the one by the nose of the engine.

 

I never did get to the bottom of my problem. I just live with it. It got to the stage where I got sick of spending money on the car (money which I don't have) without any certainty from mechanics. I still have the vibration when I put the car into neutral and coast downhill around 80kmph and sometimes it just completely goes. Most of the time I drive a Corolla for and keep the Volvo for long trips so its something I'm happy to live with now. I've given up on soliving my problem until it becomes blatantly obvious what it is. Good luck.

 

thanks - "the one by the nose of the engine" do you mean the transmission torque mount that's underneath at the front?

 

Hi, I have never fixed my vibration issue, which is exactly as you described your issue.
I was convinced it was due to the Torque Converter Lockup slipping. However after changing the fluid, adding anti slip and having the transmission tested by 2 Indipendant Volvo specialists & finding nothing wrong, i moved on to engine mounts. All mounts were replaced including upper and lower torque control mounts. No improvement at all. I then decided it was due to the Four-C front struts as one had a slight leak and failed the MOT. Replaced both sides with good used units and guess what, no improvement, the vibration is still there.
New lower control arms and ball joints (another MOT requirement) also made no difference.
the car is a delight to drive except, as you say on some up hill slopes at certain speeds and RPM I get this annoying vibration, which i can stop by either increasing or decreasing the throttle position. This throttle position change resolves the vibration but because it changes the RPM, speed or engine/transmission load i do not know.
however, I have now convinced myself the issue is down to either play or balance in one or both drive shafts. I was going to buy a budget set and change them but reading this forum it seems budget is not the way to go. However genuine Volvo shafts are way too expensive without 100% knowing it will fix the vibration, so for now I just live with it.
please let me know how you get on.

Lucky Pete
2006 2.4 D5 Auto XC70