Volvo AWD V70-XC70 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 5/2011 V70-XC70 INDEX

[<<] [>>]

THREADED

THREADED EXPANDED

FLAT

PRINT ALL

MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

Acceleration-Induced Yaw V70-XC70 2003

posted by Chris Mullet on Tue Mar 1 11:02 CST 2011
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014

[RELATED]

I just bought a 2003 V70 non-turbo plain Jane version with 150,000 miles. Of course it came with a few existing issues which I am planning to attack.

One thing I've noticed the more I drive it, when I'm cruising at light throttle and then accelerate, the car wants to yaw just slightly to the right. At 150K I'm imagining that something is worn in the front LH suspension that is allowing the LH wheel to arc forward slightly when additional power is applied. When I lift off the throttle the car fades back to the left a bit. I'm curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this, and if so, what suspension component(s) they found to be at fault. I'm thinking it could be either a worn tie rod end allowing the wheel to twist to the right, or worn control arm bushings allowing the control arm to twist in relation to the chassis. The last thing I want to consider is that something inside the tranny output is applying more torque to the LH wheel than the RH.

Anyone want to offer a clue as to the cause?

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

Acceleration-Induced Yaw V70-XC70 2003

posted by drj434343 on Tue Mar 1 13:27 CST 2011
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Thu Oct 24 09:46 CST 2013

[RELATED]

First thing is to make sure you're going absolutely straight when you perform this test, so as to sufficiently eliminate torque steer as a contributor.

I think your suspension explanations are reasonable guesses. Do you have any clunking while turning or going over bumps to indicate worn components?

What about a partially sticking caliper? Maybe just enough to only notice when accelerating? Does the car drift to the right while at constant speed?

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

Acceleration-Induced Yaw V70-XC70 2003

posted by Chris Mullet on Tue Mar 1 14:25 CST 2011
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014

[RELATED]

I'm detecting this when cruising absolutely straight on good road.

The car tracks nice and straight when coasting, and stops straight also, so I don't think there is any caliper issue. Plus, I had the front end jacked up the other day and verified the brakes promptly release when letting off the pedal. I may have detected a VERY minor amount of play in the LH wheel when holding it at 9 and 3, so the tie rod end on that side may be showing its age. It might be that FWD cars can't tolerate any lateral play what so ever. And yes, I do hear a bit of knock somewhere in the suspension, but not yet to the degree that I can say without a doubt which corner it is.

Oh yeah, one other thing, I know have a leaky CV on the RH side. I haven't seen the tear yet myself, but the seller told me about it and I saw some oily film on the bottom of the fram rail below it.

BTW - how tricky is a CV shaft replacement on these cars? Any special tools required?

Thanks.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

Replies to this message will be emailed.

SAVE

Acceleration-Induced Yaw V70-XC70 2003

posted by KlausC on Tue Mar 1 15:35 CST 2011
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

[RELATED]

You are correct in all your guesses. A little torque steer will usually present itself when the steering is getting loose with age. On the turbo models, it is the differential giving the right wheel more torque, and it can not be helped due to the design geometry.

As to the CV replacement, replace the entire axle. Quite easy to do and not very expensive unless you go OEM. Make sure you get a new tranny end seal, just in case the cheap axle is slightly smaller than spec. A few drops of ATF will come out of the box when you pull the axle, but not a big deal.
You have time to wait for warm weather with the CV. It takes a long time for dirt to give you any problems.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

Acceleration-Induced Yaw V70-XC70 2003

posted by Chris Mullet on Tue Mar 1 16:45 CST 2011
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:08 CST 2014

[RELATED]

"...As to the CV replacement, replace the entire axle..."

I did some cyber "window shopping" for CV joints, and yes, noting that was the way those things seem to be sold, I figured it was the way to go. I thought about the seal and probably wouldn't have replaced it but you make a good point about the shaft diameter possibly being sub-spec. Besides, when you think about it, any time you disturb of a 7 year old seal with 150K on it you're probably asking for a leak.

I've noticed on a couple occasions when I turned left while accelerating, it seems like I felt a little wump-wump-wump kind of feeling on that side. It may be time.

I'm thinking the front end of this car probably just needs a good going-through to really get it up to snuff.

BTW - the weather is perfect in Atlanta right now to get out and do some wrenching. Later in the summer, ugh, forget it!

Thanks.

<< < > >>

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.