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Vibration at high way speeds

20671 Views 262 Replies 56 Participants Last post by  z111
So last July I purchased a 2020 cpo s60 t5 r design with 11000 miles. I was very happy with it until my first road trip after a month when I realized that the steering wheel was shaking over 75 mph up until 85 mph olso was shaking when I was breaking. So I went back to the dealership, we did a ride with a technician and he acknowledged the problem. They force wheel balance and replaced 2 front rotors and pads and told me it should be OK now. I asked the service manager if they test it again for vibration and he told that they didn't because of the speed limit. Enyway I took the car immediately for a test ride, the shaking over 75 mph was fixed but there was a mild vibration when braking at 45 mph until 35 mph. I said ok it's not the end of the world so I left it like that. Last week I went to the dealership for the second regular service and olso told them about the issue. They did the service and we went for a ride with a technician again to verify the issue. We went back to the dealership and the service manager after speaking with the former told me that they will replace the front rotors again but for the last time. I ask him if this is going to fix the issue and he told that according to the technician yes. After that I took the car again for test ride. And to my surprise the breaking vibration was fixed but the vibration over 75 mph reappeared. 2 days after I took the car to a tire shop for wheel balance to see if that will fix the issue but no lack. At this point I don't know what else to do, I am thinking to go to a tire shop again for tire rotation. It is just so disappointing.
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Had the same exact problem for years with a non-Volvo. Ended up fixing it by replacing the brake calipers And rotors. at some point pads had worn down enough to damage calipers but nobody noticed the calpier damage for years. At the same time replaced tires for symmetry and balanced it all out. Not cheap but very solid ride after that. Maybe this is your problem as well.

pretty amazing how much vibration can come from bad brakes.
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Had the same exact problem for years with a non-Volvo. Ended up fixing it by replacing the brake calipers And rotors. at some point pads had worn down enough to damage calipers but nobody noticed the calpier damage for years. At the same time replaced tires for symmetry and balanced it all out. Not cheap but very solid ride after that. Maybe this is your problem as well.

pretty amazing how much vibration can come from bad brakes.
The problem is that if I start replacing parts of the volvo I will definitely empty my bank account cause this things aren't cheap 🙃
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If multiple places can't or won't fix it, the car shortage gives you an out that might not have existed in most normal times. At some point, you might consider trading it in. You might actually make money on it... Just a thought.
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it's not a bad caliper, that's nonsense on such a new car with known brake vibration issues in which none of them involve the calipers themselves.
Mine was vibrating too. Dealer changed front rotors and pads and all is well now. Sorry you’re having issues.
If multiple places can't or won't fix it, the car shortage gives you an out that might not have existed in most normal times. At some point, you might consider trading it in. You might actually make money on it... Just a thought.
+1. Carvana, if they drive it at all, will just cruise around an industrial park at 20 mph. On my Miata they didn't even do that because stick, lol.
Time to look for an affordable aftermarket brake replacement! The Volvo rotors on SPAs are notoriously bad.
+1. Carvana, if they drive it at all, will just cruise around an industrial park at 20 mph. On my Miata they didn't even do that because stick, lol.
I am not 100 percent sure but I thing volvo does not allowed 3rd party payoff. My car is financed. So I thing my only option will be a trade in.
I am not 100 percent sure but I thing volvo does not allowed 3rd party payoff. My car is financed. So I thing my only option will be a trade in.
I thought that was just for leases but I don't really know.
There are multiple things that can contribute to vibrating issues. The most natural/common:

  • Rotors
  • Hubs (with or without wheel bearings)
  • Wheels
  • Tires
  • Driveshafts.

It can be any of those things. If the rotors didnt solve the issue, replace the next thing. Just re-balancing the tires is not enough. They have to be replaced entirely to eliminate them as a cause.
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The SPA cars are known for its suspension to pick up road surface deformations. Have you verified the car on a newly made road with fine quality surface?
The SPA cars are known for its suspension to pick up road surface deformations. Have you verified the car on a newly made road with fine quality surface?
I thing you are right. Today I went to a tire shop for tire rotation and the shop also did a high speed force wheel balance. The vibration over 75 mph was noticeable improved, but still there. In some parts of the road I notice that the steering wheel had a mild vibration and in other parts of the road was fine. But now after the tire rotation, when i am in speed over 70 mph and brake a little harder than usual the wheel is shaking, this is very weird because the dealership just replaced the front rotors like 5 day ago. It's a little difficult to find quality surface in the roads of nyc 😃. But so far after 2 times rotor replacement, 1 time brake pad replacement, 2 times road force balance, 1 time tire check for loose foam, and the damn car still shaking.
When they replaced the rotors the second time,did they replace the brake pads as well. If your brake pads were not replaced at the same time it's possible they are slightly warped which could cause the issue.
I’m confused. Are you saying while you are driving (not braking) you have a vibration? And you are trying to fix the vibration replacing brake components? Because how on earth would brakes vibrate when not in use?
I’m confused. Are you saying while you are driving (not braking) you have a vibration? And you are trying to fix the vibration replacing brake components? Because how on earth would brakes vibrate when not in use?
No I said that I have vibration at highway speeds over 75 mph that it should have been fixed after 2 times of forced wheel balance, but it's not. And i also said that the car vibrate when I am braking at speeds over 65 mph. It is vary noticeable at the front end of the car, steering wheel, and brake pedal, this should have been fixed after 2 times rotor replacement and brake pads. All that have been replaced under warranty at the dealership service department after the mechanic proposed. It's not like I am going to a shop and have them replace brake parts because of that. It's what the mechanic of the service department did after he diagnosed the issue.
At this point, I would be looking for new tires... particularly if they are Pirellis with the sound deadening foam.
I had PS4 on my volvo and it vibrated on highway speeds. This winter i changed to winter tires and there are no vibrations.
Had the same exact problem for years with a non-Volvo. Ended up fixing it by replacing the brake calipers And rotors. at some point pads had worn down enough to damage calipers but nobody noticed the calpier damage for years. At the same time replaced tires for symmetry and balanced it all out. Not cheap but very solid ride after that. Maybe this is your problem as well.

pretty amazing how much vibration can come from bad brakes.
Same problem with 2019 xc60 T6, 28k miles. Started with wobble when braking a couple of months ago. Today car and steering wheel vibration at 60-70 mph. In warranty will get it fixed. But soon will expire. Heck of an ongoing problem to have on an expensive car. 1st and likely last Volvo.
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At this point, I would be looking for new tires... particularly if they are Pirellis with the sound deadening foam.
The tires are continental with no sound deadening foam. I know that because I ask the technician to check it out at my first visit for that matter. The tires have only 16000 miles on.
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