XC90 transmittion of engine vibration through steering wheel

[GJB]

Has anyone had a problem of engine vibration being transmited through the steering wheel mine is a 2004 D5 23000 miles on the clock and when in cruise control at speeds between approx 25 - 50 MPH as the car accelerates to keep up the speed a vibration is felt on the steering wheel?

[Peter Milnes]

That sounds more like front wheel imbalance or the steering column is touching either the engine/gearbox assembly or the suspension. Take it into the dealer/supplier and ask them to check it out.

All the best, Peter.

[GJB]

Have now taken back to dealer who has tested and agrees that I have a problem,he has found that there is a mod to both the steering column and engine mounts which will be fitted at next service,will update the information upon this page when done.

[GJB]

Car has now had a mod to both the steering column bushes and also to the engine mounts and is now vibrating worse through the floor gear change lever and the accelerator pedal.
Is now back in garage for shims to be fitted to drive shaft support garage has been very good and have been in touch with Volvo have said I do not want it back until vibration free.

[GJB]

>Car has now had a mod to both the steering column bushes and
>also to the engine mounts and is now vibrating worse through
>the floor gear change lever and the accelerator pedal.
>Is now back in garage for shims to be fitted to drive shaft
>support garage has been very good and have been in touch with
>Volvo have said I do not want it back until vibration free.
Well the car is now back and have had a shim put between drive shaft support and engine(made no difference).
Then had a engine mount change among other things and now problem has been solved.

[simon tuck]

My wife and I purchased a new Volvo XC90 earlier this year (02/07/08) from Premier Motors (Osborne Park, Perth, Western Australia). We had been very happy with the car and its performance in the early days. However, after a few weeks we noticed an annoying, low frequency vibration, whenever the engine transverses the RPM range of approximately 1300 to 1800 RPM - most noticeable (audible and felt) at 1500 RPM.

We returned the vehicle to Premier Motors service/maintenance department and explained the condition. I accompanied the chief mechanic while he took it on an exploratory drive. The chief mechanic acknowledged the condition and said he was unsure as to its origins. I enquired if it was a known or documented characteristic of this make and model Volvo. He said that he was not aware of any such problem. I left the vehicle with Premier Motors for the remainder of the day to further investigate the condition and to also correct a few minor defects with the interior trim.

Upon collecting the vehicle the chief mechanic met me and, with reference to the low frequency vibration issue, said that they were unable to locate the cause. He suggested that I monitor the condition and if it deteriorated to return and have the problem further investigated.

The condition has been subtly getting worse.

The condition is most noticeable during slow to moderate acceleration. Once the engine RPM reaches 1300 there is a noticeable vibration felt through the steering wheel and floor pan. The condition becomes audible (albeit relatively quiet) at approximately 1500 RPM and then increases in intensity to approximately 1700 RPM. Upon reaching 1900 RPM and above the condition disappears and the vehicle drives smoothly and quietly - with respect to the in-cabin, passenger environment. The condition is evident in all gears and is very pronounced when the car is driven up inclines and the engine is under a positive load.

This condition is very annoying. It is particularly troublesome given that cruising at between 50 and 60 kph, in suburban streets (where most of our driving is conducted), invokes the 1500 RPM range of concern.

Since this time the Service Department at Premier Motors, upon direction from the Technical Department at Volvo Australia (Sydney, NSW), replaced first the left hand drive shaft and when this did not rectify the problem, then replaced the right hand drive shaft.

After replacing the right hand drive shaft ,and before accepting the vehicle, I test drove the car with the head mechanic. Unfortunately, while the condition had improved, it could still be detected through both the floor pan and the steering wheel in the same RPM range as before. The mechanic and I agreed that the next step was for me to test drive a new XC90 from Premier Motor's lot. We selected a vehicle with only 75 Kms on the odometer. To my surprise and John's this vehicle also exhibited the same condition, albeit quite mild. This has therefore left me in quite a dilemma as it appears that the condition that exists on my XC90 seems to be an unfortunate characteristic of the model. Unless there is any other suggestions from the Technical team in Sydney I am at a loss as to what to do next.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Simon

[GJB]

Suggest you get engine mounts checked as that solved my problem they are vacuum fed from engine system .

[glentizzard]

I have an XC90 2003, with excessive vibration in the steering wheel. This happens at approx speeds between 35mph - 45. The vibration happens when the engine is under load, ie going up a hill or hard acceleration.I have put the car in an volvo specialsit who has checked the usual things such as tyres , suspension links etc.No fualt found. I feel it may have something to do with the engine mounts, although they say they are working correctly. Help.

[GJB]

Mine did not show up as faulty mounts but upon closer inspection it was the problem, and only showed up upon replacement (at the time it was under warranty)

[bignose]

had this happen on a ford, triumph and peugeot before...always engine mounts needed replacing..