Nice car!

Do not know. The mechanic ordered it refurbished from one if his suppliers. I will ask him.

Thanks. Just to clarify, the mechanic ordered and installed the refurbished driveshaft and disposed of the car's original one which was very rusty. It was not a cheap repair. There is a significant hum at 30-40 miles an hour and 60-70 miles an hour, less so in between. It seems to emanate from the m...

Great stuff! The following question might seem ridiculous in light of the low resale value of my old car, but if I take out the drive shaft again how much less will I get for the car since it is technically an all-wheel-drive but that feature will have been removed?

Great advice – thanks again. I had put in the all-wheel-drive again for the Chicago winter but is several have commented, snow tires are much cheaper.

Well, taken, Ben850 and Redneck. I tinker with the car but cannot do the big repairs that you do. I used to tell my dad, "If your car is not a hobby and you can afford a newer one, go for it." I can't afford a new car but at this point I probably can't afford to keep the V70 much longer. T...

Thanks for the helpful comments. I am hoping that the mechanic will refund me for the refurbished driveshaft. If not, is there any harm in keeping it in for 2000 miles during the winter months or could it cause damage, assuming that either it is not balanced or the center bearing is going out? The c...

It sounds like you don't have any emotional attachment to the car and you're experiencing what most of us here already know: Volvo's are expensive to maintain. Many of us, myself included, continue to maintain these cars despite the high cost for various reasons but at the heart of it we have some ...

Thanks again for the good input! Looks like it was not VC and it drove well in FWD. Refurbished driveshaft just installed and a new tapping/shudder occurs, mostly under 30mph, but turns are fine now! Not sure why! If mechanic cannot fix it I will request refund and go back to FWD.

Thanks to you and all for the wise consuderations. I di not repair it myself hence you are correct, it is indeed "nickel-dime-ing me to death." But it drives so much better and is so much sturdier than most Hondas, Toyotas, etc., that I have driven. Still, it feels like a costly "deat...