The dealer was finally able to diagnose the source of the "Brruummp" sound that was emanating from the front end whenever I made a left or right turn from a standing stop. The noise was absent in straight line acceleration and during turns at cruise speed. The solution was to replace the driveline propeller shaft between the bevel gear and the differential. Their explanation was that the front CV boot had split and allowed grease to spin out of the joint. Apparently this boot is not visible during normal underside inspection. Anyway, it is fixed and the car is absent of the "Brruummp" sound. The cost? $1094 for the propeller shaft, $48 for Bevel gear oil, and $215 for labor.

Gregory,

My car makes similar noise when I try to make a turn at low speed, or when I try to stop it slowly (Sometimes even when I just press the brake and have it idle. Is it the same for your car?). I've been to the dealer a few times, they thought it might be something related to the bevel gear but are not sure (at one time they change a new power steering pump but it didn't change anything)! Did that new driveline propeller shaft fix your "Brruummp" sound problem?

Steve,

Yes, the new shaft and cv joints solved the problem. Originally I thought it might have been the viscous drive because the noise only occurred during a difference in speed between the right and left wheels in a turn. Later I determined, that because it only happened during acceleration from a stop, it must be related to torque. Anyway after researching it with the manufacturer for a month after the initial inspection, on the second visit the dealer finally found the problem. His explanation to me was that the boot covering the shaft cv had split and allowed all the grease to exit and thereby causing failure of the shaft! I would have to look at a picture of the drive train to really understand his explanation. The "brruuummpp" noise sounded like what you would get if you drove over a highway shoulder that has those warning ribs that look like a tractor tread. I got the impression that the dealer has replaced several shafts and this probably should be a recall item. After reviewing the Brickboard it reveals others have had shaft problems and maybe could evolve into a class action suit if it is going to cost owners over $1500 per incident. Thank God it wasn't the viscous drive which according to numerous posts is over $2000 per incident for those out of warrantee. It's too bad that this is happening to the XC because I really like the car and its snow traction capability. Regards, Gregg

Gregg,

Thanks for your information and I'll pass it to my dealer (But did that noise occur when you tried to stop the car?). By the way, what's the name of your dealer (and the $, US or CAD?)? I live in Toronto. Thanks again. (I like the car, but sometimes it just has too many different kinds of problems).

Regards,

Steve.