Playing With My Propshaft - Clicking and clacking

Post by **rmmagow** » 20 Feb 2012, 08:50

OK, I took out the propshaft on my 98 AWD V70. Clicking and clacking and generally making lots of noise. The mechanic that took it out said he thought it might be just that the grease had dried out at one of the propshaft ends. The center bearing, although the metal part around the rubber moves a lot, nothing is actually torn and the center bearing is smooth turning, U-Joint feels OK. One end of the shaft feels like it has a good amount of grease, the other feels like it is kind of empty . Not a lot of play on either end. I'm thinking of putting some CV grease into both ends then try the shaft again as it is so easy to put in and remove.
My question, how do you get the end covers off the driveshaft ends? I don't want to go nuts and ruin something. I've got no intention to replace the ends, if it comes to that, Colorado Drveshaft will be purchased.
Thanks

Post by **JRL** » 20 Feb 2012, 09:01

You can't and it doesn't work.
If you're 100% sure the center and rear joints are OK you can buy a replacement front joint (only)
Colorado Driveshaft sells a rebuilt front joint for about $125 or thereabouts (Volvo charges nearly $300!!)
http://www.coloradodriveshaft.com

...and be careful, you know what they say, playining with your propshaft, you may go blind!

Post by **rmmagow** » 21 Feb 2012, 07:34

Thanks, I'll just replace it. Not worth screwing around. Funny thing I've found is that I guess there's not a huge penalty for AWD in the V70, my mileage is about the same. Yeah, all the rear stuff is still there but I bet there's not a whole lot of mileage difference between my AWD and a regular GLT.

Post by **anodyne** » 23 Feb 2012, 07:52

I think you're right. I took mine out last summer and while the ride of the car was more smooth, the MPG's were about the same, maybe 1 or 2 MPG better. But I liked the smooth ride so I may do it again. In my car, it just feels like I'm dragging something along in the AWD with all of its components. I have replaced the bushing on my VC housing, but I still get a "clunk" when accelerating from time to time. No clicking and clacking. I'm wondering if anyone can report on having this AWD set up in a 98-00 and experience a totally smooth drive train. No click/clank/clunk. Anyone?

Post by **Xilikon** » 23 Feb 2012, 08:32

Mine is a 00 and there are no noise at all from the AWD drivetrain, confirmed by a Volvo mechanic and a few indy.

Post by **rmmagow** » 23 Feb 2012, 08:42

Mine was very smooth until it acted up. It acted up very suddendly, felt a slight vibration one morning, 30 miles later it was a little scary, enough so that I stopped the car and looked underneath. One thing I may have read someplace is that the right side motor mount being broken can hasten problems with the driveshaft. My car, which I've only owned for a few months, has a broken motor mount and also had the upper mount failed. I've done the upper mount and will do the lower right side before putting in Colorado DS rebuilt unit. I plan to run straight FWD for the summer and will put the propshaft back in this fall. My next V70 or other Volvo will be FWD only as the AWD just isn't required that often and I have an old subaru for deep nasty snow. I didn't want AWD this time either but the car was so good looking I took a chance.