XC70: General - Do I have an issue?

Harvey1963 · Mar 5th, 2016, 14:35

2011 XC70 D5 AWD.

Is it normal for there to be extra noise and a little vibration from the drive train at motorway speeds?

I have recently bought a 2011 XC70 D5 AWD with 52000 miles on the clock. I have noticed at motorway speeds that the drive train is noisier than I expected and I can sense it working away through the seat of my chair and accelerator pedal. It's not coming from a specific area as far as I can tell but just a general increase in noise and slight vibration throughout the car. I am aware of it at speed of 70mph+ and it spoils an otherwise lovely ride. To try and diagnose what is causing it I have carefully put the car in neutral whilst coasting and can confirm it is not coming from the engine as engine revs do not effect it and it seems to linked to road/drive/prop shaft rotation speed.

Secondarily I also notice when coasting at a specific speed there is a small judder as the drive train takes up the slack when power is gently applied to keep the car at that speed. If a more substantial amount of power is added to accelerate there is no judder

Is what I am experiencing typical of the AWD system and just the nature of the car and something I just need to get used to or do I have an issue which needs looking at?

Your advice will be gratefully received.

volvoid · Mar 5th, 2016, 14:42

sounds like something is wrong. These are lovely smooth luxury cars, they shouldnt vibate and judder at all.

Sasha94 · Mar 6th, 2016, 10:46

Rear trailing arm bushes could cause it and are due changing if they haven't been at that mileage. But the car shouldn't be anything other than perfect on the road; my car with 100,000 miles more than yours is as quiet and comfy as it was new in 2008

Backhill1 · Mar 6th, 2016, 14:20

Harvey

It sounds like you have an Off side front wheel bearing away. I had exactly the same on my XC70 2 weeks ago. It went from next to no noise to a slight vibration like you are describing very quickly.
Bearing is £200 + 2 hrs. labour at a dealer + VAT so you are looking at a £450 job.

You can pick up an aftermarket bearing for about £100 and I cannot comment if its an easy job or not as I haven't done one but if you have a good garage or Indy they should be able to sort for you.

It seams to be your luck with these and mileage if and when they need done.

Rear trailing arm bushes tend to squeak I didn't need to do mine until 150K but I was lucky.

As already mentioned these cars are super smooth and quite at speed unless you have the excellent stereo on.

Harvey1963 · Jul 9th, 2016, 17:59

Forgot to update with the result.

Car given a good once over by Volvo Dealership. Rear Diff required reprogramming as did gear box. Now everything is smooth and much more as I expected.

All suspension checked and in good order so all fine.

One happy bunny.

Mar 5th, 2016, 14:35	#1
Harvey1963 Member Last Online: Dec 15th, 2023 15:35 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Montrose	Do I have an issue? 2011 XC70 D5 AWD. Is it normal for there to be extra noise and a little vibration from the drive train at motorway speeds? I have recently bought a 2011 XC70 D5 AWD with 52000 miles on the clock. I have noticed at motorway speeds that the drive train is noisier than I expected and I can sense it working away through the seat of my chair and accelerator pedal. It's not coming from a specific area as far as I can tell but just a general increase in noise and slight vibration throughout the car. I am aware of it at speed of 70mph+ and it spoils an otherwise lovely ride. To try and diagnose what is causing it I have carefully put the car in neutral whilst coasting and can confirm it is not coming from the engine as engine revs do not effect it and it seems to linked to road/drive/prop shaft rotation speed. Secondarily I also notice when coasting at a specific speed there is a small judder as the drive train takes up the slack when power is gently applied to keep the car at that speed. If a more substantial amount of power is added to accelerate there is no judder Is what I am experiencing typical of the AWD system and just the nature of the car and something I just need to get used to or do I have an issue which needs looking at? Your advice will be gratefully received.

Mar 5th, 2016, 14:42	#2
volvoid Monster Raving Loony Last Online: Nov 12th, 2018 20:03 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: hitchin	sounds like something is wrong. These are lovely smooth luxury cars, they shouldnt vibate and judder at all. __________________ 1994 850 2.0 bought at 32,000 miles used daily now 45,000. Still like a nearly-new car 2004 filthy polluting diesel VW

Mar 6th, 2016, 10:46	#3
Sasha94 The Dumb Blonde Last Online: Mar 17th, 2019 10:58 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Bangor, Gwynedd	Rear trailing arm bushes could cause it and are due changing if they haven't been at that mileage. But the car shouldn't be anything other than perfect on the road; my car with 100,000 miles more than yours is as quiet and comfy as it was new in 2008 __________________ 2014 Skoda Octavia vRS with loads of toys! ex 2012 V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Lux, 2008 XC70 D5 AWD SE Geartronic, 2004 S40 2.0D SE, 2008 C30 1.6 S & 2000 C70 2.0T

Jul 9th, 2016, 17:59	#5
Harvey1963 Member Last Online: Dec 15th, 2023 15:35 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Montrose	Sorted Forgot to update with the result. Car given a good once over by Volvo Dealership. Rear Diff required reprogramming as did gear box. Now everything is smooth and much more as I expected. All suspension checked and in good order so all fine. One happy bunny.

Mar 6th, 2016, 14:20	#4
Backhill1 Master Member Last Online: May 17th, 2023 13:08 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Turriff	Harvey It sounds like you have an Off side front wheel bearing away. I had exactly the same on my XC70 2 weeks ago. It went from next to no noise to a slight vibration like you are describing very quickly. Bearing is £200 + 2 hrs. labour at a dealer + VAT so you are looking at a £450 job. You can pick up an aftermarket bearing for about £100 and I cannot comment if its an easy job or not as I haven't done one but if you have a good garage or Indy they should be able to sort for you. It seams to be your luck with these and mileage if and when they need done. Rear trailing arm bushes tend to squeak I didn't need to do mine until 150K but I was lucky. As already mentioned these cars are super smooth and quite at speed unless you have the excellent stereo on.

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