Safe to drive AWD with AWD disengaged for long distances?

[thejrh]

My 99 V70 XC broke down in Roanoke VA on a cross country trip from NY to Birmingham. The bevel gear (transfer case) bound up and I need to get it replaced. The local Aamco got a used one and it's no good. Waiting on another that should arrive today, but there's no telling if it's going to be any good. I've been stuck in Roanoke for three days and I'm itching to get back on the raid.

I've been reading the forum's and it sounds like you can disengage the driveshaft and drive the car as FWD. Will this work over the long term? I have 500 miles to go to get to Birmingham and from there I need to drive to Charleston SC (another 500 miles). I have a trusted mechanic in Charleston that I believe can set the car straight, but I need to get there first.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Rob

[ecbsykes]

Who's your mechanic in Charleston? Reputable Volvo Services by chance?

Anyway, you should be good to go by removing the driveshaft, even if the angle gear has failed (unless maybe the gear is catastrophically destroyed on the inside?). I think in most cases this will solve any loud noises being produced from down there. I removed the driveshaft and angle gear on my XC many years ago and have been very happy with FWD.

[rspi]

Your car still has the AWD shaft installed? Man, pay those folks at Aamco, get whatever part they ordered, have them pull the shaft, leave the gear box installed, and drive away.

[thejrh]

Great info. Thanks guys.

[850 LPT]

I don't think it's this easy. What exactly has failed in your angle gear?

If it is a bearing or bearings, then you can't just drive away with that, even without the driveshaft. If you have a badly damaged bearing then your seals are on their way out too and you will loose all the angle gear oil.
There is another option. You can take the bad angle gear out and drive like that if you or the shop can figure out a way to keep the splined collar in place that transmits power to the AWD. I think I heard people used heavy duty hose clamps before.

But if you have a good or better angle gear on the way to you, it would probably a good idea to install it. Depending on the condition, you can decide if you want to leave the driveshaft out.