Was curious if anyone ever allows their significant other to take their car on a road trip and end up with a large towing and rental car bill? I have kept our xc90 on regular maintenance since I purchased new. 2013 with 188k, in the last 6 months, plugs (ngk platinum iridium), fuel filter, both axles, water pump, tensioners and pulley’s. Sig other and travel companion claim hard to steer , pulling to left, and clicking noise. After tow to Volvo dealership in Lubbock and a strenuous joy ride of 45 minutes they find no fault and compliment me on condition of car. Thoughts?

 

Certainly - what brand of axles did you use? I'd be willing to bet you did not purchase them from volvo - or the known oem brand GKN.

Aftermarket axles can be a big problem. Maybe not a problem around town - but on a trip ------

Years ago a right xc90 axle was not avaiable from the dealer or GKN. I chose to put an aftermarket part in to get the car back to the customer. Couple days later a freaked out customer calls - car is towed back (that I paid for), I drive it about 30 miles and OMG - steering starts shaking and I as a shop owner am freaked out also - is this car going to stop on me? Turns out the aftermarket cv jont was overheating and seizing up after xx miles.

Be nice to your Sig other - it's not her fault.

 

You are correct about the parts, i will and have been very nice to the sig other. Volvo’s don’t like aftermarket parts, it seems when it comes to this area. I was also gently scolded by my regular Volvo shop in Austin, they assured me if I could get the car back to town they would correct my error on parts and installation. Thanks

 

The axle was Cardone, i was told they were good. It failed in under 15k miles, the oem were on for 177k. I think i have a solution.