Main question, "Will I have to replace the catalytic converter if I can't find another donut type exhaust manifold that fits mine?"

My 2 bolt, donut manifold just cracked, and I'm only finding the 4 bolt ones online.

After some testing, i feel confident the last axle from API is adequate

It seems even a couple millimeters can cause failure

I'll either buy Volvo next time, or painstakingly measure both side by side

With the boot torn on the old one, it does look longer. However, when you line them up straight and compress them together from both ends, they're the same size. Before I put in the 3rd one, I took pictures of the inside. I felt the groove and the edges the circlip goes into felt flush I should orde...

All four of my axles look different... i dont feel so bad as a mechanic. From left to right (the same order as I installed them): 1 APIs 1st shipment 2 Duralast Gold (AutoZone) 3. APIs 2nd shipment (currently installed) 4. Old Volvo The 2nd API seems to be the right length, the 1st was slightly smal...

It fell out just as I pulled into the alignment shop ... not sure what's going on here.

Im using the OEM circlip and the axle is getting flush with the transmission

Ive tried an autozone duralast gold and an API brand.

This is getting depressing.... I've done a CV on my last 850 and remember having trouble, but not like this... over a little lock ring I stretched the clip to as big as will fit, shoved in the axle, tapped it in, then tried to yank it out from the base... it seems secure, but I feel like i tired thi...

Put in a new axle from autozone and it slipped right out again... does that mean its my flywheel?

I'll try that now, i just put in the old axle and was able to turn both wheels, so I'm glad I'm just dealing with an axle issue here still

.... didn't even think about the old one... sheesh I'm having trouble getting enough forever to pop the new one in... makes me think maybe the first new one was never in all the ways inside the transmission looks okay i think, it looks like the axle was softer than flywheel but i have to wait until ...

nope... i cranked it with the axle nut and only my side was turning

when i tapped it in, before now, I actually got it to go a few feet forward and back, but then it slipped as soon as i put it above 1 rpm..

edit: added pictures, just picked up another axle from AutoZone to test out