Well by the lack of posts it seems the problem might have gone away, or the owners have through lack of interest from Volvo. Well I have solved the problem. I changed to a B4 FWD. I decided that as Volvo were either uninterested or unable to solve the problem, I would change and avoid the AWD system. My brother thought I was stupid staying with the Model, but he is a motor engineer from the past. I decided that if I got a good offer I would change to a new model and avoid AWD, he did and apart from the option packages not giving what I wanted, all was fine.
The important things: I thought I could detect the vibration when I picked it up. However, I took it on a long run and realised that on a smooth road it was smooth, on a bumpy or uneven road it too transmitted the vibration and although the original vibration was real enough, the slow reduction in the effect meant that I was now super sensitive to it and may have been too critical. I was otherwise so pleased with the original car and having convinced myself that the fault lay in the AWD system, probably the diff or half shafts at the rear, I was prepared to take a chance with a FWD. So this B4 is fine, and with an MPG of 45 at 60-70 mph more than happy with it. Also the auto stop feature which I turned off on the first vehicle, is so smooth an undetectable, I now leave it on.
So unless anybody has any questions this will hopefully be my last post on the subject. Thank you everybody for their contribution on the subject, it has been very helpful.
Kipper
Vibrations @55-80mph
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Traveloguy
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed May 26, 2021 2:33 pm
This issue sounds reminiscent of an issue I had.
In my case during drives around 50mph on rougher road, I heard vibration between steering column and air vent to left (UK version). Dealer out noise tape around steering column and I’ve not heard any vibration noise since.
FWIW, we have a D4 Inscription Pro Polestarred with all trimmings.
In my case during drives around 50mph on rougher road, I heard vibration between steering column and air vent to left (UK version). Dealer out noise tape around steering column and I’ve not heard any vibration noise since.
FWIW, we have a D4 Inscription Pro Polestarred with all trimmings.
Traveloguy,
Not sure it is the same issue. I did a lot of measuring of the vibration and although not scientific, I was convinced it was caused by an imbalance somewhere in the chassis or running gear in the rear of the vehicle. Very much like a wheel balance issue. However, with the lack of recent similar reports, I guess they have, if not sorted it, then reduced it to an acceptable level.
My brother in law said his father never bought a newly developed model, he preferred not to do the development testing for the manufacturers. Wise words, I was too hasty.
Kipper
Now with a B4 FWD Inscription Pro in Pebble with Blond upholstery.
Not sure it is the same issue. I did a lot of measuring of the vibration and although not scientific, I was convinced it was caused by an imbalance somewhere in the chassis or running gear in the rear of the vehicle. Very much like a wheel balance issue. However, with the lack of recent similar reports, I guess they have, if not sorted it, then reduced it to an acceptable level.
My brother in law said his father never bought a newly developed model, he preferred not to do the development testing for the manufacturers. Wise words, I was too hasty.
Kipper
Now with a B4 FWD Inscription Pro in Pebble with Blond upholstery.
XC40 T4 Inscription Pro / Luminous Sand / Blond
In April I changed my tires from CrossClimate to Primacy4 and the mechanic mentioned an interesting fact created by the lockdown: if the car was not moved in weeks its tires might deform because of the entire weight being place in a single point for a long time, thus creating imbalance and vibrations at various speeds.
Maybe some of the vibration complaints on the forum in the last year are related to wheel imbalance. For owners who don’t change tires seasonally (seasonal tire change will always result in balance check) and encounter vibrations might be a good idea to check wheel balance, it could be a fast and easy fix to the problem.
Maybe some of the vibration complaints on the forum in the last year are related to wheel imbalance. For owners who don’t change tires seasonally (seasonal tire change will always result in balance check) and encounter vibrations might be a good idea to check wheel balance, it could be a fast and easy fix to the problem.
eugen61,
The early days covered a lot of suggestions including balancing of wheels. In general there seemed to be no common denominator with respect to tyre and wheel size combinations.
I was told by a nephew who is a vehicle dynamics specialist that it could just be various components at the limit of their tolerances and it was just coincidence that certain combinations gave rise to the vibration, somewhat random and very difficult to pin down, hence the reluctance of Volvo to expend much time and energy on the problem. They simply did not have a simple answer to it.
Whatever; I am more than happy with my new B4 and can offer suggestions as to what to look out for, but no solutions. In my case changing the prop shaft and the rear diff clutch plus some hydraulic device I not sure of, certainly reduced my vibration.
Kipper
The early days covered a lot of suggestions including balancing of wheels. In general there seemed to be no common denominator with respect to tyre and wheel size combinations.
I was told by a nephew who is a vehicle dynamics specialist that it could just be various components at the limit of their tolerances and it was just coincidence that certain combinations gave rise to the vibration, somewhat random and very difficult to pin down, hence the reluctance of Volvo to expend much time and energy on the problem. They simply did not have a simple answer to it.
Whatever; I am more than happy with my new B4 and can offer suggestions as to what to look out for, but no solutions. In my case changing the prop shaft and the rear diff clutch plus some hydraulic device I not sure of, certainly reduced my vibration.
Kipper
XC40 T4 Inscription Pro / Luminous Sand / Blond
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Dermottdog
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:39 pm
- Location: Orpington, Kent
Hey
I can travel at whatever speed I like and don’t get any vibration so I sympathise with those who do have or had the issue.
So I’m just looking at this topic from an interest point of view.
So many people have reported this on AWD models. Some blame was attached to the AWD system, prop shaft and other AWD components. Now this is where I’m a bit fuzzy. I thought that the car only drove in FWD until the RWD (or AWD) was engaged. Am I missing something?
I can travel at whatever speed I like and don’t get any vibration so I sympathise with those who do have or had the issue.
So I’m just looking at this topic from an interest point of view.
So many people have reported this on AWD models. Some blame was attached to the AWD system, prop shaft and other AWD components. Now this is where I’m a bit fuzzy. I thought that the car only drove in FWD until the RWD (or AWD) was engaged. Am I missing something?
R Design Pro T5 AWD in Crystal White. Convenience Pack, Front Parking and Apple Car. Couldn’t afford anything else!! Arriving late September 2019.
Dermottog,
You are correct, the AWD is used to describe a system that has drive available to all 4 wheels but only has the front wheels connected in normal circumstances. When traction at the front wheels is detected as slipping, for example on ice or snow, then varying degrees of drive is applied to the rear wheels, up to about 80% of the power of the front wheels. This is achieved with a clutch between the prop shaft and the rear differential. This is where the confusion may appear, although there is no engine drive to the rear wheels in normal circumstances, the prop shaft and rear drive shafts still rotate at the road speed. Normal four Wheel Drive systems are either permanently connected or are selected by the driver. The AWD system is automated, you have no control over it.
It was clear from the beginning that not all cars suffered from this problem, only a few, which is why the identification of the source seems to have been such a problem. Also, this must be seen as a production issue rather than a design issue.
Important caveat, my description of the drive train may not be correct, I did not delve too deep to find a description of the drive train on the net, so the clutch(s) may be in a different place and the prop shaft may or may not rotate when AWD is not activated, but I think it is about right. Certainly, changing the prop shaft in my case, reduced the vibration.
Hope that helps.
Kipper (Much happier now)
You are correct, the AWD is used to describe a system that has drive available to all 4 wheels but only has the front wheels connected in normal circumstances. When traction at the front wheels is detected as slipping, for example on ice or snow, then varying degrees of drive is applied to the rear wheels, up to about 80% of the power of the front wheels. This is achieved with a clutch between the prop shaft and the rear differential. This is where the confusion may appear, although there is no engine drive to the rear wheels in normal circumstances, the prop shaft and rear drive shafts still rotate at the road speed. Normal four Wheel Drive systems are either permanently connected or are selected by the driver. The AWD system is automated, you have no control over it.
It was clear from the beginning that not all cars suffered from this problem, only a few, which is why the identification of the source seems to have been such a problem. Also, this must be seen as a production issue rather than a design issue.
Important caveat, my description of the drive train may not be correct, I did not delve too deep to find a description of the drive train on the net, so the clutch(s) may be in a different place and the prop shaft may or may not rotate when AWD is not activated, but I think it is about right. Certainly, changing the prop shaft in my case, reduced the vibration.
Hope that helps.
Kipper (Much happier now)
XC40 T4 Inscription Pro / Luminous Sand / Blond
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Deleted User 3359
Just a minor correction, the rear axle will get drive if you (ahem) drive spiritedly (i.e. accelerate hard....)
Ah, of course. I am built for comfort not speed these days, it's there when I need it, but in general smoooooth is the way forward.
It's the way of cars these days, when it thinks you need extra, it supplies it, but on its terms.
When I bought an V40 a few years ago, I commented on the lack of a temperature gauge. I like to know when we are up to temp. "You don't need to know", was the answer, "the car knows and that is all that matters" such is the way we are going these days. I can't even dip the oil (XC40) in a vane attempt of checking the car, just fill the washers and leave everything else alone.
Just bring back my Triumph Herald, every Sunday under the bonnet, adjusting this and that.
Kipper
It's the way of cars these days, when it thinks you need extra, it supplies it, but on its terms.
When I bought an V40 a few years ago, I commented on the lack of a temperature gauge. I like to know when we are up to temp. "You don't need to know", was the answer, "the car knows and that is all that matters" such is the way we are going these days. I can't even dip the oil (XC40) in a vane attempt of checking the car, just fill the washers and leave everything else alone.
Just bring back my Triumph Herald, every Sunday under the bonnet, adjusting this and that.
Kipper
XC40 T4 Inscription Pro / Luminous Sand / Blond
Hi All,
I posted in the US forum, but there is a lot more information here. Thanks to all who have contributed.
I just purchased the 2022 XC 40 AWD T5 Momentum. I am having the same issue described by many on this forum. Vibrations at highway speeds, about 65, 70MPH and up to about 80MPH or so. I also can hear a sound at those speeds, that make it seem like the windows are down, even though they are not.
My car has been back to the service center 1 time already (I've had the car just over 1 week). They did RF balancing on the tires. The problem still remains.
Tires I have are 235/55 18 inches.
To clarify - Is this definitely a tires issue? Seems like no one has been able to fully pinpoint it, but maybe Volvo have done so?
Thanks!
Davis
I posted in the US forum, but there is a lot more information here. Thanks to all who have contributed.
I just purchased the 2022 XC 40 AWD T5 Momentum. I am having the same issue described by many on this forum. Vibrations at highway speeds, about 65, 70MPH and up to about 80MPH or so. I also can hear a sound at those speeds, that make it seem like the windows are down, even though they are not.
My car has been back to the service center 1 time already (I've had the car just over 1 week). They did RF balancing on the tires. The problem still remains.
Tires I have are 235/55 18 inches.
To clarify - Is this definitely a tires issue? Seems like no one has been able to fully pinpoint it, but maybe Volvo have done so?
Thanks!
Davis
