Thanks abscate, I did indeed clean the airbox, no critters. I also charged the battery, but it wouldn't even turn it over, so a new battery is next. Once I'm "chahged" as they say in Maine, I'll try your bag-o-tricks. Hopefully it's not some other crazy electrical problem... been there.

Might be related to this string: I have a 2002 v70 xc that has been sitting for about a year. When I start it, it idles very rough almost like it's operating with a cylinder not firing. Any ideas on where to start? I've pulled mice nests from the engine compartment before starting it, and I'm ...

FYI, after I removed the retainer bolt in the end of the shaft, I could create some play in the CV axle by shoving it towards the engine which allowed me to BARELY access the bolt heads with an 18mm socket and also an open end/box end wrench. Once I finished the job I test drove it and the problem ...

Folks,
I had a garage diagnose and they told me it's the driver's side hub assembly (bearing) gone bad. I've got it apart in the garage right now, at least as far as the four bolts that hold the assy in. How the heck do I get those four bolts out? They are so close to the cv joint that I can't get a ...

I'm not totally familiar with the front angle gear, but I can tell you that it will be a very cheap fix to remove the entire shaft and run this in FWD mode, no problems. See the game, and replace the shaft later... or not.

Good luck.

2001 V70XC Grinding noise in front end: I get a grinding noise from the front end that starts at low speeds, gets louder and higher pitch as speed increases. Seems to get more pronounced on corners like on-ramps. I suspect wheel bearings, but I can't rule out CV joints. I searched the forum and ...

This one is for Brad:

I had no ill effects after removing the shaft. I'm not sure why you'd want to remove a good shaft since this car is like a half-track in the snow in AWD, but I'm sure you have a good reason. You should be all set. I recently sold my 98 and I see the gentleman driving it all ...

You won't hurt anything by removing the shaft. If the noise persists, just put it back in. It wasn't a bad job once I figured out what was going on. The pictures in the thread really helped. Good luck.

John G.

I agree with your assessment of the job. I was lucky to have a concrete floor to work on.

It started as a rumble that appeared to come from the front end from a strut or cv joint during cornering. A local garage told me it was the ball joints. $700 later, no fix. I procrastinated for a long time, then had some brake work done. For some reason, a squeak (like a wheel bearing) started and ...