Newbie transmission help please?

madmarauder · Post by **madmarauder** » 16 Jul 2006, 07:16

Hi all, great forum. This is a great resource for anyone owning or considering owning a Volvo! I am looking at a 99 v70GLT with about 61k miles. Everything is real clean and it has the last 3 years service record (2 owner car). I've driven a few v70s and this is the first one that I've noticed that makes a metallic sounding clunk/crunch when shifting between D and R. The sound is coming from the vicinity of the tranny (front left) and it only seems to happen when shifting from D to R and vice versa, not while driving. All up and downshifts seem normal, no banging shifts. I thought it might just be straining against the brakes, but its definitely not from there. In looking around here and speaking to a few folks, the best guesses so far are:

1) Motor transmission mount that is scraping when the motor rocks back and forth while changing gears

2) It just needs a tranny fluid flush (the fluid is moderately brown although not burnt smelling.

I haven't been able to find any posts on this specific problem (and I have tried to search a lot!), so if this is an easy/common problem then please forgive my poor searching ability

Any feedback would be appreciated, this is a pretty sweet deal if the tranny problem is an easy fix/no big deal. I just want to know if I should get it or walk away from a 3000 tranny bill

Thanks,
Brian

stoutlogic · Post by **stoutlogic** » 16 Jul 2006, 09:33

From a 2000 mile away diagnosis, sounds like a broken mount, motor or tranny possibly both. These cars have many motor mounts. the easiest to check and most common two broken are the top engine mount or torque mount and the mount below the passanger side crankshaft / timing belt

madmarauder · Post by **madmarauder** » 16 Jul 2006, 11:48

you can hear and diagnose that from 2000 miles away? you're good!

I think that sounds right too, the car is about an hour away, so I have to go all the way up there to check it out, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me... a dying tranny would not be good though... 8k for a '99 v70glt with only 61k miles is pretty good in this area, so its worth the effort

Brian

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 16 Jul 2006, 13:00

Check the mount; it's easy to see. If it's busted there's your culprit. If not... maybe consider looking at a different car.

In my honest opinion, I think you'll have better luck with a '98 model. The cars may look the same on the outside, but they are totally different beasts with regards to the electrical system and a few mechanical bits.

madmarauder · Post by **madmarauder** » 16 Jul 2006, 13:06

I would kinda prefer a '98 but there's lots of support here and on other forums so I think it'll be okay. Its tough to find something in the '98-00 range with decent mileage, so with only 61k miles I'm thinking I'll jump on this one.

utvol1984 · Post by **utvol1984** » 17 Jul 2006, 11:28

I just replaced both of the engine mounts mentioned on my 93 850 GLT. It made a WORLD of difference reducing vibration in the cabin markedly. In order to see the lower mount however you might have to pull back the front section of the splash guard behind the passenger side front wheel. My engine mount was completely shredded. Fortunately they're easy to replace in your garage with a floor jack and basic hand tools.

madmarauder · Post by **madmarauder** » 17 Jul 2006, 14:21

yeah, I just got a written estimate of ~400 to bring with me to negotiate with the dealer

Brian