1998 V70 XC Rear Axle Seal Leak

Post by **mtd240** » 10 Mar 2014, 07:51

Was under the car pulling the driveshaft (bad front CV and the carrier bearing is very loose), and spotted a relatively small leak from the rear diff. I'm guessing its the axle seal. The rear CV axles were not replaced recently, and they are OEM, so this isn't due to poor aftermarket axle shaft machining. I guess it was just time for the seal to give up?

Could this be due to anything else, or should I just pick up the seal PN# 8653928 and swap it in?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Mar 2014, 08:14

So long as that is actually gear lube and not the grease that leaked out of a split boot on the CV joint I would say you are on the right track. Hopefully it all didn't leak out.

...Lee

Post by **mtd240** » 10 Mar 2014, 08:22

Thanks - is there a drain plug for the diff? And for the fill level - I'm guessing it just needs to be up to the fill plug?

Edit: No drain plug, fill level = half liter.

Post by **mtd240** » 11 Mar 2014, 07:35

Info on Volvo AWD rear CV axle and seal replacement is sparse. Found maybe one or two threads across all the forums.

I crawled under the car last night (in the "no car work" apartment parking lot), pulled the fill plug, and found that there is still fluid in the diff (not up to the fill plug though). I tried to put a little more in, but couldn't get the stupid fluid pump to work (any lead on a GOOD fluid pump?). Confirmed that the leak is from the driver side axle seal.

I ordered the seal and fluid from FCP, and will hopefully be digging in this weekend.

Fortunately, the prop shaft is currently out of the car, so there is no torque on the diff gears. And, the wife only drives 11 miles/day at <30 mph. I will cancel the usual long "PCV clean out" weekend drive until the diff is fixed.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 11 Mar 2014, 11:47

I use a Mighty-Vac. I bought it to bleed brakes but it is also handy to pump fluids in. It was particularly helpful when I filled the transfer case on the XC. If you want to change the differential lube you can use the Mighty-Vac to suck out the old through the fill plug and then replace with fresh by reversing the hoses.

I think Harbor Freight has their own version of the same thing that is cheaper but I bought the real deal - also at Harbor Freight - for around $35.00.

...Lee