volvo s40 front vibration issues

Hi,
my 2001 s40 (80,000 miles) had developed a vibration problem. When I
drive at 40-50 mph the front vibrates/shakes. Sometimes this occurs at

30mph. I got the tires balance, that didn't fix the problem. Took it
to the volvo dealer, they said:
- the front left/right drive axle shafts are worn and needs to be
replaced (cost $1500)(wow) due to play in the axle.
took it to pep boys and after their inspection the mechanic said that
the axles seem fine, maybe its a transmission problem, they can rebuild

both axle sides for under $400.
So I am not sure if it is a drive shaft or transmission problem.
Should I get a third opinion?
Thanks in advance

guntek Wrote:
> Hi,
> my 2001 s40 (80,000 miles) had developed a vibration problem. When I
> drive at 40-50 mph the front vibrates/shakes. Sometimes this occurs at
>
> 30mph. I got the tires balance, that didn't fix the problem. Took it
> to the volvo dealer, they said:
> - the front left/right drive axle shafts are worn and needs to be
> replaced (cost $1500)(wow) due to play in the axle.
> took it to pep boys and after their inspection the mechanic said that
> the axles seem fine, maybe its a transmission problem, they can rebuild
>
> both axle sides for under $400.
> So I am not sure if it is a drive shaft or transmission problem.
> Should I get a third opinion?
> Thanks in advance

I've run across some instances of differentials spontaneously self
destructing in the S40's....I think I'd want a very well educated
opinion from a Volvo specialist (not neccessarily a dealer) before
buying anything....


--
jeffcoslacker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
jeffcoslacker's Profile: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...?userid=219638
View this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=623294

http://www.automotiveforums.com

I took the car to a volvo specialist. The diagnosis:
The bearings in the CV joint have gone bad. These are not sold by the
company and need to be rebuilt. This is supposed to be a common issue
among the s40 model. The s60/v70 front wheel drive etc do not have
this problem.
I am not going the dealers route to replace the entire drive axle shaft
(left and right) as this is too expensive.
This is going to cost $600. Pepboys did a very good job on my ford
explorer but since this is a volvo I am more comfortable giving it to
the volvo specialist.
Will keep this thread upto date as soon as the repair is done with the
results.
Thanks to jeffcoslacker for the reply.


jeffcoslacker wrote:
> guntek Wrote:
> > Hi,
> > my 2001 s40 (80,000 miles) had developed a vibration problem. When I
> > drive at 40-50 mph the front vibrates/shakes. Sometimes this occurs at
> >
> > 30mph. I got the tires balance, that didn't fix the problem. Took it
> > to the volvo dealer, they said:
> > - the front left/right drive axle shafts are worn and needs to be
> > replaced (cost $1500)(wow) due to play in the axle.
> > took it to pep boys and after their inspection the mechanic said that
> > the axles seem fine, maybe its a transmission problem, they can rebuild
> >
> > both axle sides for under $400.
> > So I am not sure if it is a drive shaft or transmission problem.
> > Should I get a third opinion?
> > Thanks in advance
>
> I've run across some instances of differentials spontaneously self
> destructing in the S40's....I think I'd want a very well educated
> opinion from a Volvo specialist (not neccessarily a dealer) before
> buying anything....
>
>
> --
> jeffcoslacker
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> jeffcoslacker's Profile: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...?userid=219638
> View this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=623294
>
> http://www.automotiveforums.com