V70-AWD-2000 Converted to Front Wheel Drive-Leak at FR Axle

cchantzis · Post by **cchantzis** » 29 Sep 2013, 16:56

I have removed the rear axle of my V70-AWD - 2000. I just noticed yesterday some leak at the Right Front axle where it connects with the Angle Bevel Gear. I have never changed the fluid of the A/B gear. The leak has the appearance of rust and seems like water. It definitely originates from the seal area where the axle shaft goes into the Angle Bevel gear.
Questions:
1. The Angle Bevel gear is NOT connected with the Transmission given the Angle B/G has it own fluid, correct?
2. Is there any mechanism in the Angle B/G that must be lubed even though I no longer use it for rear axle power?
3. Should I expect the seal to continue to leak and eventually require replacement even though I don't use the Angel Bevel Gear anymore?
4. If I must replaced/repair it, then what is the best proposed process to do that?
Thx very much in advance for all your help.
Much appreciated.

IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR · Post by **IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR** » 29 Sep 2013, 17:05

title error? it says you converted to REAR wheel drive.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Sep 2013, 20:56

I think I fixed the post title correctly but I am still a bit confused. When you say that you removed the rear axle I assume that you meant the drive shaft or the prop shaft as Volvo calls it.

The angle gear / bevel gear (transfer case) does have its own lubricant GL 4 or GL 5 synthetic oil that is distinct from the transmission fluid. There is a weird double seal arrangement between the transmission and the transfer case that should prevent fluid from intermixing between the two. The axle itself runs through the transfer case but it is driven purely by the transmission.

It sound like you have a seal leak on the outer seal of the transfer case which is no big deal to replace. The axle comes out exactly like it would on a FWD car that didn't have the transfer case.

While you are at it I would suggest that you drain the gear lube and re-fill it with fresh lubricant. If it has never been drained before there isn't a factory drain plug and it required drilling a hole though one of the lower bolt holes into the case and then using teflon tape to seal the threads on the stud when you thread it back in. The other option is to use something like a MityVac and suck it out from the filler hole. It is thick so it will take a while with the vacuum but then again it takes a while to drain through the drain plug as well.

...Lee

cchantzis · Post by **cchantzis** » 02 Oct 2013, 18:26

Lee,
Thx very much for your reply. Yes, you are correct. I removed the trans-axle so now I have only a front wheel drive

!
So, does the outer seal of the transfer case come out easily? I thought it is a bearing type of seal that might need to be removed with a puller? Please explain if you can.
I have concluded from your reply that I must refill the transfer case with new oil because somehow it is needed even though I don't use the transfer case for Rear axle power.
Much appreciated in advance.
Costas

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Oct 2013, 08:33

Keeping good oil in the angle gear is indeed necessary. Even though it isn't really doing anything productive without the prop shaft it does continue to turn internally so it is necessary to keep it filled with good oil.

I don't know what is involved in changing the seal, it is set back inside of the outer flange on the right hand side of the angel gear rather than being flush with the case like it is on a standard transmission. It may be that the flange needs to come off and I think there is a pre-load torque setting on the flange but I can't seem to find the procedure in VIDA for changing the seal. I'll switch operating systems a bit later and fire up VADIS and see what I can find there. I've never had to do it.

...Lee

cchantzis · Post by **cchantzis** » 03 Oct 2013, 09:27

Lee,
Thx. Some postings suggest there might be double or triple seals at the outer seal area: One to seal that bearing with the Right side axle shaft; one to seal that bearing against the transfer case and one ? [I don't know what might be needed for] or maybe there is seal that does it all. I search for the part on the net or ipdusa but no luck. I guess we got to buy it from Volvo dealer.
Yes, it would be great if you could find out in VADIS and post the specifics of HOW this seal is removed and then installed.
Thx again. Much appreciated.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Oct 2013, 16:07

I did find the procedure in VADIS and it is simply a matter of prying the old seal out with a screwdriver. They didn't even show a 999 part number screwdriver in the picture. They did use a special 999 part number tool to seat it but any seal set tool that is about the right size will work. If it turns out the O ring around the "Crown Nut" (the big flange that the seal sets into) is leaking then you need to mark the position of the nut before you remove it so that it goes back in at the same position. If it gets that far post back and I'll print out the procedure.

...Lee

cchantzis · Post by **cchantzis** » 06 Oct 2013, 18:52

Lee,
Again, thx so much for taking the time to explain and help me with my pbm. Ok, let me buy the seal first tomorrow from the Volvo dealership, then I will better understand the design of this seal. I assume the seal has some type of aluminum housing that is press fit to the opening of the transfer case, as you call it. I don't quite understand yet

! the O-ring and Crown Nut comment but I guess I will figure things out once I get the shaft out. So, I guess I may bug you shortly for the procedure.
Much appreciated.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Oct 2013, 20:45

The crown nut (their term, not mine) is a giant nut that surrounds the axle shaft output on the right hand (passenger's) side of the angle gear, where the axle goes in. I guess they call it a "crown nut" since it has a bunch of bumps on its perimeter that look like a crown. The bumps are used to lock it in place at the correct torque spec. If you can just pry the seal out you really shouldn't need to mess with the nut itself or worry abouts its torque spec.

...Lee

Post by **burnout8488** » 06 Oct 2013, 20:48

cchantzis wrote:Lee,
Thx very much for your reply. Yes, you are correct. I removed the trans-axle so now I have only a front wheel drive !

Some editing still needs to be done here. You removed the driveshaft, correct? The angle gear, and AWD transaxle are still in place, right?