New Truck Vibration Problem and possible Solutions

Fellows,

I bought a brand new Volvo VNL760 truck from Vanguard Volvo in Atlanta. After the very first trip back to my parking from the dealership, I realized the truck had a vibration over 45-50 mph. Mostly felt at 60, but pretty much at any speed over 50. They replaced all 10 tires on the truck, assuming it might be a tire or out-of-balance issue. It was not, still vibrations. Then they suggested to give it at least 1 week on the road, to see if it's going to "break in", and after 3300 miles, it didn't, still vibrations... So, I brought it back to Volvo, they checked it, said everything looks good on the drive line, now they insist the truck should get an alignment done, before they move on to the next step... They also pulled a "sister unit" next to it to compare settings on both. I wonder what is the next step with a problem like this, it can literally be a 100 different things causing these vibrations... Also, I wonder what are my options to try to have this truck returned to the manufacturer, I know there is no lemon law for commercial vehicles... Or should I get a business attorney involved... But you know how those life-sucking banks and dealers are usually protected by their contracts and there's pretty much nothing that can be done in that direction... Any of you been in a similar situation? Any recommendations? I mean I can't just sit here and wait, they can look at it for a month and not have a solution...

Thank you!

 

I’d demand a different truck. If they say but you already put miles on this one! Tell them that was at their request you do so.

If they say no to that then tell them they better put you in a rental ASAP while they figure yours out, free of cost. And not to call you until it’s fixed.

 

I dont know how much Volvo differs from Peterbilt but my 2020 developed a vibration problem at around 50k miles. I could feel it right at my feet in the drivers seat. Felt like something was coming through the floor board.

Where are you noticing the vibration coming from?

How did they check the drive line?

For mine it was a multistep process checking the angles, not just a simple "everything looks good visual check"

 

Same symptoms like what you just described. I can't tell you exactly how they are checking it. Right now they said they pulled a sister truck next to it and they are comparing everything by nuts and bolts... Did they permanently fix your vibrations?

 

I would stop chasing the problem and have them give u a different truck. What you paid for this truck it’s not worth having problems yet.

 

Yes,

I have put on about 48k miles since they fixed my issue and have had no further problems everything is good.

To check the driveline is a multistep process which includes clutch adjustment. The driveline angle analyzer will have printouts like the picture below. Should be 3 or 4 pages. If it's off by 2 much they would have to take the entire driveline off and have it sent out to a driveline specific shop.

 

Sucks to hear! And Volvo's are suppose to be as smooth as silk

 

Thinking the same. Was at the peterbilt dealership a month ago. They had a new pete in the bay. Asked whats wrong with the almost brand new truck? Mechanic says a driveline vibration. Says quite a few coming back for the same issue. Possibly the same drive line manufacturers as volvo?

 

it may be your trailer giving vibrations. change the trailer

 

It may be your trailer tires. I had same issues in past and ended up being the trailer tires. Hook a different trailer and test drive it. I bet you it’s the trailer thats causing it.