2000 Volvo S70 Strange Noises?

santem · Post by **santem** » 17 May 2012, 15:28

Overview
2000 S70 AWD 111,000 ish miles good condition inside and out. Lived entire life in New England
Parts replaced: Battery, Front Brake Pads, Cylinders, and Rotors, Sparkplugs,

2 Problems
1. I was just about to slow down to pull out of my street when my transmision made a clunk clunk clunk nosie, like something was spinning and hitting something else. Looked under car and saw what appeared to be a small amount of fluid under the car. The noise proceeded to happen all the way to work but only when I slowed down using the brake. The car gave me no lights or any other indication that something is wrong it seemed to handle fine and i didnt notice any preformance issues. The noise was only present in the morning.

The thing that came to mind was the flywheel that disconnects the drivetrain for better braking, but how can I tell for sure that it isn't something more serious. Some research showed that it may be mountings... or my transmission can fail.

P.S I have not done anything with the transmission since i've owned the car. Should I do a flush or a drain?

2. Same day after work driving home i made a right hand turn at a T-intersection and heard something that sounded like a gentle scraping noise coming from the front tire (or tires could not tell which side), after pulling into a parking lot and doing a figure 8 I noticed it happened when turning tightly both ways. Proceeded to drive home but didnt notice the noise again (I made two other turns like the one mentioned, one right, one left). Is this connected to the first issue?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.....

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 May 2012, 15:31

It sounds like they are both connected to the AWD system on your car.

This usually means that the CV joints in the driveshaft are failing. For the time being, you can simply remove the driveshaft, which will mean the car will function as FWD only. You can get a rebuilt driveshaft to put in the car when winter approaches again if you think you will need it.

Should I do a flush or a drain?

I would recommend doing a series of 4 drain and fills over the course of the next 2 months. Your transmission takes regular Dex-III fluid (there is some confusion among 2000 year models. You have the 4-speed)

santem · Post by **santem** » 17 May 2012, 15:36

Thanks, not the news I was hoping for. How much would a rebuilt driveshaft and OEM CV joints cost?

santem · Post by **santem** » 17 May 2012, 15:43

Should have posted this with the one above.... how easy would it be to replace the Driveshaft/ CV joints yourself?

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 May 2012, 16:19

It doesn't look very difficult. Search "driveshaft removal XC" for a how-to.

Replacements are expensive. Colorado driveshaft is highly recommended by other site members.

santem · Post by **santem** » 17 May 2012, 21:05

Got a new perspective.... literally

The noise occurs when letting of the gas, braking abruptly, or when driving the car fast in a tight circle. After jacking it up and taking a quick look underneath I noticed the rubber boot on the steering linkage on the passenger side front wheel showing signs of leakage. The noise is more noticable turning left. Also the heat shield that goes aroud the driveshaft near the middle of the car (somehwhat above and behind the catalytic converter) was loose, Something got dragged a couple feet under my car a couple months ago. It managed to catch the shield and give it some play.
Not sure if this changes the cause of the problem...?