Vibration at Motorway Speed

Dxthomas · May 6th, 2018, 06:57

Car is 2007 XC90 D5 SE Sport (Auto) on 190,000 miles.

Any suggestions on what the most probable suspects are for the following vibration:

Intermittent whole car vibration - generally when doing circa. 70 mph. Could easily be mistaken as symptoms of driving on a badly surfaced road.

On a recent 4hr journey from London to Exeter, this vibration would occur every 20mins or so. Doesn't seem to disappear if you accelerate through - although I will need to experiment a bit more to be sure.

Oddly - the first bout of the shakes only seem to occur once you've done about 15-20 mins of driving (i.e. once something's got hot).

Absolutely no shake or pull coming through the steering wheel (note: I think the car is fitted with speed variable rack).

The vibration makes everything in the door pockets and centre console rattle. All sorts of trim start to clatter - basically whole car rumble. Definitely nothing felt through the wheel.

A very quick inspection at my local garage - the front CV joint on the prop shaft has a tiny amount of play. In my non-mechanical opinion - just seems odd that it would cause an intermittent problem.

Car has an occasional Steering Wheel Angle Sensor fault. Also to note - fluids were very recently changed to both differentials and the Haldex unit (with new filter) - all by my local independent.

Any thoughts on likely contenders?

Tannaton · May 6th, 2018, 08:03

These can be quite hard to diagnose.

Firstly I would rotate the tyres (fronts to back etc) and get the balancing checked. Also check carefully that the tyres are perfectly round - i.e. they have no bubbles, bulges or deformation to the carcass from storage? Check tyre pressures too - try over and under inflating them slightly (briefly to test)

If that makes no difference (if it was a rear tyre you might then feel it through the steering if it was then at the front) then it gets tricky.

Vibration through the whole car at speed has to be caused by a rotating mass either our of balance or not mounted correctly.

- Check all wheel bearings carefully

- Check wheel bolts are correctly torqued and there is not contamination on the mating surfaces of the wheels or hubs

- Check the propshaft mountings and bearings under the car

- Get the car on a 2 post ramp (i.e. in the air and all four wheels off the ground *securely* ) then run the engine so the wheels turn at speed - can you see a single wheel moving the suspension? (You may not get the rears to move as quickly)

It might be hard to find but I doubt it will be too expensive to fix.

colinbos · May 6th, 2018, 08:55

Check the rear Nivomats (shock absorbers) for leakage by peeling back the rubber boot. Can give vibration as described.

My leaky shock absorber was hidden because of this boot, its very good at keeping crap out... and hydraulic fluid in.

And I've had a rear sticking clapper that cause loud intermittent rumblings vibrations at those speeds. It can come and go.... as the calliper sticks then unsticks. When you get the vibration, try and pull over and check if the rear brake calliper is hot and or disc is hot. watch your fingers though ! they get scalding hot.

lindsayt · May 6th, 2018, 09:04

Also check that you haven't got a binding brake. Next time you get vibration pull over as soon as you safely can. Feel (safely without burning yourself) if you've got one wheel hotter than the others. Expect to smell brake dust too as you go round the car.

colinbos · May 6th, 2018, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsayt

Also check that you haven't got a binding brake. Next time you get vibration pull over as soon as you safely can. Feel (safely without burning yourself) if you've got one wheel hotter than the others. Expect to smell brake dust too as you go round the car.

SNAP.

oragex · May 6th, 2018, 20:11

Might have to do with engine operation. After 20min driving the engine gets fully hot and some worn sensor may not like it.

Whole car vibration can also come from rear wheels/axles/awd

Just careful with mechanics suggesting this and that

gmonag · May 6th, 2018, 20:30

+2 for binding rear brake.

Dxthomas · May 7th, 2018, 07:23

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I will take the car on a good long run this week - and report back.

Dxthomas · May 12th, 2018, 07:10

Well...lot's of you guessed correctly.

Nearside rear caliper must be sticking - incredible amount of heat from that corner. Even the alloy wheel was roasting hot.

Thank you everyone for all your help.

gmonag · May 12th, 2018, 09:16

Have a look at this thread:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=rear+caliper

May 6th, 2018, 06:57	#1
Dxthomas Junior Member Last Online: Jul 8th, 2023 18:41 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ottery St Mary, Devon	Vibration at Motorway Speed Car is 2007 XC90 D5 SE Sport (Auto) on 190,000 miles. Any suggestions on what the most probable suspects are for the following vibration: Intermittent whole car vibration - generally when doing circa. 70 mph. Could easily be mistaken as symptoms of driving on a badly surfaced road. On a recent 4hr journey from London to Exeter, this vibration would occur every 20mins or so. Doesn't seem to disappear if you accelerate through - although I will need to experiment a bit more to be sure. Oddly - the first bout of the shakes only seem to occur once you've done about 15-20 mins of driving (i.e. once something's got hot). Absolutely no shake or pull coming through the steering wheel (note: I think the car is fitted with speed variable rack). The vibration makes everything in the door pockets and centre console rattle. All sorts of trim start to clatter - basically whole car rumble. Definitely nothing felt through the wheel. A very quick inspection at my local garage - the front CV joint on the prop shaft has a tiny amount of play. In my non-mechanical opinion - just seems odd that it would cause an intermittent problem. Car has an occasional Steering Wheel Angle Sensor fault. Also to note - fluids were very recently changed to both differentials and the Haldex unit (with new filter) - all by my local independent. Any thoughts on likely contenders?

May 6th, 2018, 08:03	#2
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 17:17 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	These can be quite hard to diagnose. Firstly I would rotate the tyres (fronts to back etc) and get the balancing checked. Also check carefully that the tyres are perfectly round - i.e. they have no bubbles, bulges or deformation to the carcass from storage? Check tyre pressures too - try over and under inflating them slightly (briefly to test) If that makes no difference (if it was a rear tyre you might then feel it through the steering if it was then at the front) then it gets tricky. Vibration through the whole car at speed has to be caused by a rotating mass either our of balance or not mounted correctly. - Check all wheel bearings carefully - Check wheel bolts are correctly torqued and there is not contamination on the mating surfaces of the wheels or hubs - Check the propshaft mountings and bearings under the car - Get the car on a 2 post ramp (i.e. in the air and all four wheels off the ground securely ) then run the engine so the wheels turn at speed - can you see a single wheel moving the suspension? (You may not get the rears to move as quickly) It might be hard to find but I doubt it will be too expensive to fix. __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135 Last edited by Tannaton; May 6th, 2018 at 08:06.

May 6th, 2018, 08:55	#3
colinbos 2008 XC90 D5 SE Last Online: Mar 28th, 2022 20:27 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Formby	Check the rear Nivomats (shock absorbers) for leakage by peeling back the rubber boot. Can give vibration as described. My leaky shock absorber was hidden because of this boot, its very good at keeping crap out... and hydraulic fluid in. And I've had a rear sticking clapper that cause loud intermittent rumblings vibrations at those speeds. It can come and go.... as the calliper sticks then unsticks. When you get the vibration, try and pull over and check if the rear brake calliper is hot and or disc is hot. watch your fingers though ! they get scalding hot. Last edited by colinbos; May 6th, 2018 at 09:32.

May 6th, 2018, 20:11	#6
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	Might have to do with engine operation. After 20min driving the engine gets fully hot and some worn sensor may not like it. Whole car vibration can also come from rear wheels/axles/awd Just careful with mechanics suggesting this and that __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

May 6th, 2018, 20:30	#7
gmonag Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 17:24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bury St Edmunds	+2 for binding rear brake. __________________ Greg

May 6th, 2018, 09:04	#4
lindsayt Junior Member Last Online: Jun 6th, 2023 01:07 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Huddersfield	Also check that you haven't got a binding brake. Next time you get vibration pull over as soon as you safely can. Feel (safely without burning yourself) if you've got one wheel hotter than the others. Expect to smell brake dust too as you go round the car.

May 7th, 2018, 07:23	#8
Dxthomas Junior Member Last Online: Jul 8th, 2023 18:41 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ottery St Mary, Devon	Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will take the car on a good long run this week - and report back.

May 12th, 2018, 07:10	#9
Dxthomas Junior Member Last Online: Jul 8th, 2023 18:41 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ottery St Mary, Devon	Well...lot's of you guessed correctly. Nearside rear caliper must be sticking - incredible amount of heat from that corner. Even the alloy wheel was roasting hot. Thank you everyone for all your help.

May 12th, 2018, 09:16	#10
gmonag Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 17:24 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bury St Edmunds	Have a look at this thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=rear+caliper __________________ Greg

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