99 V70XC : can I run without rear drive shaft?

davidschaffer · Post by **davidschaffer** » 07 Nov 2010, 17:47

Hello, I have a 99 V70XC, the rear drive shaft is shot, I can't afford to replace it at the moment and was wondering if any harm could be done in driving without it? I'd hate to ruin a computer. What happens when the computer sends a signal to a drive shaft that isn't there. Any first hand knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Post by **pkc303** » 07 Nov 2010, 17:53

I believe you can without harm. There is a guy here in Houston that runs one without the rear drive. In fact, he told me that they are much better that way. He's on Volvospeed a lot, you may try that board if someone doesn't chime up here. Although, I'd be surprised if someone here could definitively answer your question. I'll try to email him and see if there is any problems.

Post by **matthew1** » 07 Nov 2010, 18:13

Here's a couple of topics that discuss how to remove the propshaft:
Remove Propshaft '98 XC70
Remove Propshaft '99 XC70

Post by **JRL** » 07 Nov 2010, 18:13

YES
No problem

davidschaffer · Post by **davidschaffer** » 07 Nov 2010, 18:15

Thank you all for the replies. I will remove the rear drive shaft tomorrow.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 07 Nov 2010, 18:18

Been running almost a year without mine, no problems.

Post by **pkc303** » 07 Nov 2010, 18:47

Got email back from my friend, he has had no problems running two V70's without rear driveshaft. Good luck.

MBZ300TDT · Post by **MBZ300TDT** » 08 Nov 2010, 19:37

I have been running for more than a year without mine. In fact, last weekend I went one step further and removed both of the rear axle shafts. They were bound to fail some day, so I removed them.

I cut off the outboard ends of both shafts and faced them off in the lathe so that the hall effect sensor rings would be attached to the wheels and provide signals to the antilock brake system. I cut off both inboard sides and stuffed them back into the differential to keep the gearbox sealed. I drilled and tapped them and inserted cap screws in case I have to pull them out of the differential again. I posted photos of the stub shafts before installation to show the details.

Hope this helps somebody. Without this site I would never have tackled half of the jobs I have done on my Volvo.