Hi, I've had problems recently with a vibration/shaking on my 2001 V40 wagon. It appears to be speed related-occurs around 40-50 mph and is especially noticeable when climbing the freeway. It happens when you accelerate, but lets up as soon as your foot comes off the accelerator and you start coasting. Tires are new, about 6 months old with less than 10,000 miles on them. Was diagnosed by the Volvo dealer as needing new left/right axle assembly. Is this likely, or are they just trying to sell me a bill of goods. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks.

The CV joints can be stressed, resulting in a shake when you accellerate. But only one side, you shouldn't have to do both.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

While it may be only one side causing it, or not, the question is which side? It is kind of a crap shoot to decide which side is shot and causing the problem. For the most part I have gotten lucky on it and replaced the offending side properly the first time but I know many technicians that have replaced the side that they thought it was only to find out that it was the other side or to have it come back in a short period of time with the other side doing it too. Because of this most techs I know will recommend both axles if the car has any serious amounts of mileage on it. When you can get it to duplicate on your rack with the car in the air the whole engine/trans assembly gets thrown back and forth left and right but because the whole thing is moving around it is really tough to tell. You could try replacing one and then replacing the other and see what that gets you.

Mark