92 / 240 vibrates

The 92 240 sedan I bought today vibrates when I take off (roughly from 0km/h
to 15km/h) and when I slow down (rougly 15 km/h to 0 km/h) to stop. The
previous owner advised me that the car "may need brake work like roters"
which I can attribute some of the stopping vibration to. However, his
brother (another Volvo Owner) claims that the entire vibration can be
attributed to the universal joint.

Thanks,
Ian

 

Maybe a universal joint, but my guess is the driveshaft center bearing is
flopping around. The carrier can fail and it creates some prodigious
vibration. A simple inspection - visual while trying to move the driveshaft
side to side or up and down at the center bearing will confirm.

Mike

 

I second the U-Joint diagnosis. I've had it on 2 of my 240s. And, its been
the rear U-joint each time.

Scott

 

P.S. A change in driveshaft alignment can exacerbate a bad U-Joint. They
can get used to one alignment -- alter it and they object. Things that
alter driveshaft alignment include: transmission mount and transmission
cross-member rusted out and failing. I've had one of each on my 2
aforementioned 240s.

Scott

 

Come to think of it, the proper approach would be to pull the entire
driveshaft out so the U joints and the bearing can all be evaluated. Takes
just a little longer and covers all the bases so the labor doesn't have to
be repeated a few months down the road.

Mike