Identifying turbo vs NA axles Topic is solved

Post by **Sveedy** » 22 Oct 2023, 16:04

So I was in the junkyard today grabbing some interior bits, and I noticed that the '95 GLT I was harvesting from had a turbo gauge on the dash. I thought the GLT in '95 was just a trim package, not a low pressure turbo, but there was the dash gauge. I looked at the axles, and the boots were perfect, so I set about taking out the axles to keep as spares. As I got started, I noticed that it was a NA engine after all. Weird.
I looked at the passenger side axle, and it seemed to be a smaller diameter shaft running to the trans than the one on Sveedy ( turbo ).
Is that actually true, or are my eyes deceiving me. Is there a way to tell the difference without removing the axles ?

Post by **MoVolvos** » 22 Oct 2023, 18:10

Sveedy wrote: ↑22 Oct 2023, 16:04 So I was in the junkyard today grabbing some interior bits, and I noticed that the '95 GLT I was harvesting from had a turbo gauge on the dash. I thought the GLT in '95 was just a trim package, not a low pressure turbo, but there was the dash gauge. I looked at the axles, and the boots were perfect, so I set about taking out the axles to keep as spares. As I got started, I noticed that it was a NA engine after all. Weird.
I looked at the passenger side axle, and it seemed to be a smaller diameter shaft running to the trans than the one on Sveedy ( turbo ).
Is that actually true, or are my eyes deceiving me. Is there a way to tell the difference without removing the axles ?

.
I would go to FCP, IPD, RockAuto and Volvo Parts Online and check fitment between the 2 models in question. It's better than visual as it could be from another Volvo OEM supplier so looks can be deceiving.
.

Post by **Sveedy** » 22 Oct 2023, 18:41

Well I'll be dipped ! Apparently they use the same axles. I could have sworn that I had read that there was a difference between the turbo and NA.
Guess I'll go back and get them. I might measure the shaft dia. anyway.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 22 Oct 2023, 21:46

Sveedy wrote: ↑22 Oct 2023, 18:41 Well I'll be dipped ! Apparently they use the same axles. I could have sworn that I had read that there was a difference between the turbo and NA.
Guess I'll go back and get them. I might measure the shaft dia. anyway.

Glad you'll have some good spare parts. I just replaced two axles on the 08 C30 T5 and the newer aftermarket units are thinner than factory. Only tested them on the freeway for about half an hour and they seem fine. One is from O'Reilly the other Amazon.
.

Post by **erikv11** » 23 Oct 2023, 11:00

NA and turbo P2 cars have different axles .

Outer CV is beefier on the turbo axles. This means the boots are different diameter too. However fitment (shaft diameter, splines) is the same. Take a look to compare if/when you get them home. Theoretically you don't want to run NA axles in a turbo long term, but can go the other way no problem. Don't think I've ever heard of an NA axle failing when run on a turbo though, to be fair.

Post by **Chuck W** » 23 Oct 2023, 12:31

I just tossed an original NA pass axle over the weekend. The inner axle (between the carrier bearing and the transmission) is a smaller diameter than the turbo ones.

Post by **Sveedy** » 23 Oct 2023, 13:49

^ That is what I thought I was seeing. I'll measure both and go from there.
Thanks for clearing this up.

Post by **Chuck W** » 23 Oct 2023, 15:40

Sveedy wrote: ↑23 Oct 2023, 13:49 ^ That is what I thought I was seeing. I'll measure both and go from there.
Thanks for clearing this up.

It's a pretty marked difference. The Turbo ones are like 43mm in diameter. The NA one is closer to 30mm.

Post by **scot850** » 23 Oct 2023, 16:54

Now is this just for 850's or all P80's? I remember years ago looking into axles as the Volvo part numbers seemed to change on a whim and then they seemed start rolling various part numbers into the same ones. It was frustrating to find what axle belonged to what model.

I'm happy to be corrected, but I would think that if a front wheel hub bearing fits all models, at least the outside splines should all be the same. Differences may be on the inner end if there is one. Some LH (shorter) axles have a metal balance weight, some have a big rubber donut on them, and some have nothing. The only thing is I seem to recall a long time ago finding there were different number of splines on some axles at the hub end. That may be wrongly remembered.

The main differences are on the AWD RH axle with the carrier bearing being different to to a FWD as it has a narrower shaft on the inner end to allow it to pass through the angle gear casing. Now I never did figure out if the AWD axle would fit a FWD car, but the reverse can't happen.

Then there are the final year 5 speed auto trans and finally the manual trans axles. Eek!

I do know the 5 speed auto axles for a 00 R are different to the 4 speed XC axles as I have both. The 5 speed auto axle is different as mentioned above. What I have not documented is if the FWD/AWD LH 5 speed auto axles are the same. I wrote some stuff on this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=628320&hilit=axles#p628320

Neil.

Post by **Chuck W** » 23 Oct 2023, 17:34

*Shrug*

I dunno. All of my cars have been 850's.

The NA axle was from my '96 GLT manual.