1999 S70 (2WD - Manual Transmission) Axle Installation

[thinkoutside1]

I'm in the middle of replacing my axles on my 1999 S70 GLT which has 2 wheel drive and a manual transmission.

I purchased the rebuilt ones direct from Volvo dealer (about $350 for each side) after I found out Raxels were no longer able to get the parts to rebuild my old ones.

So far I have replaced the driver side Axle and have put it all back together again. Before replacing the passenger side axle I wanted to be sure the drivers side had been installed correctly. I started the car, put it into gear, and pushed down on the accelerator but nothing happened. I tried forward and reverse reverse but the car would only rev without moving.

Q1: My first thought was I did not get the Axle inserted all the way in but then I wondered why the passenger side wheel would not move regardless. I had not touched that side. Do both axles have to be inserted properly in order for either wheel to move? installation

Q3: Is there a good way to know when the axle is in all the way? I could not find a video that would show this. I thought I heard a click and I could not pull it back out with just my hands.It was hard to get an angle to push on it straight on because I only removed ball joint and control arm bolts and could not push the control arm entirely out of the way (as recommended in the forums). Should I remove the entire control arm so I can get a better angle? What is the best way to get the driver side axle in all the way?

Q3: My second thought was that the car had lost some transmission fluid while it sat open for 3 weeks waiting for the parts to be hunted down and shipped. Does the transmission fluid have to be full in order for it to work? I didn't think I had lost that much as there was only a small puddle on the floor, My guess would be about a half a quart but it's hard to say. Would this have anything to do with the car not moving?

Q4: On a similar note, My understanding is that manual transmission S70s do not have any way to tell how much transmission fluid is in the car. This is very frustrating as I just replaced all my transmission fluid last year with fluid from Volvo. It cost over $50! Do I really need to replace all of it again or is there a way to know how much to add to get it back to full?

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On a completely separate issue >>> I know I have not posted before but I just wanted to say a very sincere thanks to Matthew and all of you who have posted. I have learned so much over the years and saved so much money and time because of the information on this site. It's sites like this and members like you who have made it possible for all of us to accomplish so much. Seriously - Thank You All !!!

[j-dawg]

do you mean you disassembled both sides but only reassembled one?

if you only have one side installed and put back together, the side without anything installed with spin when you apply power, unless you have a limited-slip differential.

in winter (or doing a nice smoky burnout - not that we would ever do that.....), one wheel breaking traction will result in that wheel spinning freely and no power going to the other wheel. if your car has a limited-slip differential this would not be the case, but i don't think any US-market cars came with LSDs, did they?

[beigg]

Did you tighten the wheel bearing nut down? The tri pod in the boot to the axle cup didnt come apart did it?

To measure your fluid, drain out what is remaining into a measurable container and add in the difference. Then pour that summed up fluid into the trans.

[rspi]

If one is NOT in properly the car won't move. Pull the axle back out and look in the box to make sure nothing has moved in there. I hope you had some rag or something stuffed in the hole.

[thinkoutside1]

I only took the drivers side apart. I have not touched the passenger side yet. I doubt the tripod has become detached inside the boot. The unit is new (er.. Rebuilt from Volvo) and I was fairly gentle putting it in. It must be that I did not get the new axle all the way in so now neither side will turn when pressing on the gas. Thanks for confirming that this is how it works.

Any recommendations on how to get it to go in all the way? Like I said I think I may have to take more of the wheel assembly apart so that I can get more of straight on push. I just don't want to damage anything by banging on it.

Yes, I did put a rag in the hole while the axle was removed. I think this actually caused some of the fluid to weep out but I was not going to risk leaving it open.

Love the idea of draining the fluid to measure it. That should solve that problem.

Thanks again everyone for your advice.

[kahl]

PM if you need any help, I am in North Columbus

[j-dawg]

i've never installed an axle in one of these, but the 99 has a bolt at the upright that should constrain the axle's axial position, at which point the splines should be engaged. i can't quite see how you would end up with the axle not far enough in. but then, as i say, i've never done this job, so i might be wrong.