• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

I know its not rwd but I need help xc90

Wilford Brimley

Is posting from the grave
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Location
Marysville, wa
So my 04 t5 xc90 has this odd thing where its really smooth up to 50,55 ish and up where it seems to tremor under acceleration, it's good up till that speed and i don't even know where to start with it
 
It'll most likely be either the CV axle or the Tie Rod ends.

If it only happens on power I'd look at the axles. If it randomly does it on or off power, tie rod ends.


Could also be ball joints, bad shock, bad tire, or even subframe bushings, but I'd start with the CV axle.
 
If everything is tight in the suspension (tie rods and ball joints- use a pry bar and pry down on the control arm between arm and spindle to check for play), then likely axles. I've also had a rumble under acceleration from the front CV joint on the prop shaft assuming it is AWD.
 
I dont mean to pry but I'm supposed to take my kids camping over the mountains in a few days and hope to figure this out:) thnx again guys
 
No the rotation is normal. You need to lift the front wheel off the ground. Support the car but let the suspension dangle.

Grab the wheel side to side and now shake quickly. Does it knock back and forth? If so, get someone to shake it and look at the tie rod, put your hand on tie rod, is it moving around where it enters the spindle? Bad tie rod.

While up in the air, check the ball joint with the description I listed above.

Jordan
 
So I changed the tie rods and motor/tranny mounts and if you push the gas pedal at like 60mph the damn thing shimmys like it's got death wobble from hell:omg: still
 
Anything when decelerating?

Only does it under load?

I'm going to assume everything suspension is tight, control arm bushings are in good shape, upper spring seats aren't torn. That sort of thing.

Could it be a transmission slipping/shuddering issue?

Axle or prop shaft is where I'd go. If I were diagnosing this at work (it would be easier for me) but I'd probably pop the prop shaft out and look at the front CV joint of it. Is it bound up? Drive it with the prop shaft out. If the vibration is gone, it is prop shaft or rear. If it is still there, it is something in the front.

Things I have seen that cause vibration under load at highway speed.

Missfires - typically have a pending code set but I have seen no flashing CEL/codes on some.
transmission slipping (this is uncommon for me to see in the flat land, but I've seen a few on cars that come from the mountains)
Prop shaft front CV joint seized. This usually causes a vibration that gets worse as speed increases. I have had more than a few that were only under a load though
Front axles. I haven't had to change many on XC90 and P2 chassis honestly. Unless the boot has been torn open for the last 6 years.
Rear axles usually cause a "pop" noise when turning under load. Only had one or two. Never a vibration under load.
AOC unit- usually vibrates if the tires are the wrong size, worn an excessive amount, different brands front to rear etc.
 
Must have some bad suspension bushings? How did the axles check out? Wheel bearings all felt good? If it's still only under power and the axles are fine. Then I'd look closely at the suspension.
 
Try something simple first. Have your tires Road Force Balanced.

A vibration under load, is almost guaranteed to not be a road force issue. A good road force balance is not cheap either, specially if you have to start swapping tires on rims. I start at 2.0 hrs for a road force balance.

Jordan
 
Anything when decelerating?

Only does it under load?

I'm going to assume everything suspension is tight, control arm bushings are in good shape, upper spring seats aren't torn. That sort of thing.

Could it be a transmission slipping/shuddering issue?

Axle or prop shaft is where I'd go. If I were diagnosing this at work (it would be easier for me) but I'd probably pop the prop shaft out and look at the front CV joint of it. Is it bound up? Drive it with the prop shaft out. If the vibration is gone, it is prop shaft or rear. If it is still there, it is something in the front.

Things I have seen that cause vibration under load at highway speed.

Missfires - typically have a pending code set but I have seen no flashing CEL/codes on some.
transmission slipping (this is uncommon for me to see in the flat land, but I've seen a few on cars that come from the mountains)
Prop shaft front CV joint seized. This usually causes a vibration that gets worse as speed increases. I have had more than a few that were only under a load though
Front axles. I haven't had to change many on XC90 and P2 chassis honestly. Unless the boot has been torn open for the last 6 years.
Rear axles usually cause a "pop" noise when turning under load. Only had one or two. Never a vibration under load.
AOC unit- usually vibrates if the tires are the wrong size, worn an excessive amount, different brands front to rear etc.

There is a super loud pop coming from what sounds like the front when turning and reversing, or extreme braking. The shutter is ONLY under power it's weird
 
I had almost the exact same issue in my 06 Honda Odyssey. Ended up being one or both of the CV axles. Both axles seemed fine when I pulled then but after I test drove it with the new axles the van was back to normal.
 
I had almost the exact same issue in my 06 Honda Odyssey. Ended up being one or both of the CV axles. Both axles seemed fine when I pulled then but after I test drove it with the new axles the van was back to normal.

Ok I'll look into that and the other suggestions thanks a ton guys
 
Back
Top