re first question: yes, you have it right. Sometimes you need an impact to dislodge it from the flanges. Bye careful to not damage the Haldex electronics while in there.

re second question: I think you're right but also not certain, haven't done it.

Did the Haldex system not come in until 03 or 04? Not sure what the first 2 years of P2 were fitted with but I believed it was the same as the P80 system with the GKN viscous coupling as per this great article from FCP Euro: https://www.fcpeuro.com/blog/volvo-awd-systems-explained Either way, removi...

Yep, they are fundamentally the same car, though can expect to see some different options. ...A couple questions, mostly out of curiosity but possibly relevant if I end up swapping components: - I presume components will be virtually all interchangeable? For example, both trans are model 55-50SN yes...

The 8 mm bolt that keeps the coil at the valve cover is actually its high-voltage ground. Without that ground the coil burns. If you keep the ground contact in good shape those coils almost never die.

High voltage discharges without grounds, bad. I’m guessing that was probably the cause.

Good to know. Probably still covered under the FreeCP program so I should be ok. I couldn’t swear I’ve not made the same mistake

Here are the factory service manual specifications. I'd measure the dish with a feeler gauge and a good straightedge and compare it it spec. https://charm.li/Volvo/2003/V70%202.4%20L5-2.4L%20VIN%2061%20B5244S/Repair%20and%20Diagnosis/Engine%2C%20Cooling%20and%20Exhaust/Engine/Cylinder%20Head%20Assem...

It is titled 2004 as it may have been registered in 2004 although 2005 MY cars were starting to be sold as of August 1st 2004. So plastic headlights covers, and diamond rear lights. When you look at the rear lights the silver part looks like diamond plate. -2004 had vertical lines in the plastic cov...

Also, 05' model year has all trim painted in the color of the car, of course this doesn't apply to XC. Center console design was changed and the stereo systems re- designed. 04' was the last year with a cassette player. Interior trim went from gray to black/ charcoal. Rain sensing wiper design updat...

Abscate, Could you please clarify? Do you mean you have two vehicles, each with over 250K on a clutch? If so, that would allay any concern I might have about clutch/flywheel longevity. Jim Clutch life comes down to how it is driven , not the parts. V70 T5 1999 still on original clutch, 256k miles V...

The procedure is in VIDA for the V70. This is for XC70:
https://www.volvoxc.com/wp-content/uplo ... gnment.pdf