1998 V70 AWD clunking noise

RockpileUK · Post by **RockpileUK** » 15 Nov 2014, 22:07

I have a 98 standard V70 AWD
On slow tight cornering there is a loud clunking noise coming from the front end, especially when you take your foot of the accelerator and the car coasts
It seems to be every rotation of the wheels,clunk clunk clunk, this happens both left and right turns.
Recently it is now happening in a straight line, not quite as loud and not all the time.
Its a different sound to a worn CV and the driverside CV has been replaced.
I took it for a drive on gravel and the car drives perfect.
I removed the drive shaft and in FWD the clunking completely goes away.
This led me to believe it might be the Viscous coupler, i bought a used one installed it and no fix.
I have made sure all the tires are the same size/equal tread wear also tried my winter tires.
I have had it on the lift and driven it through the gears to replicate the noise with no luck
Could it be another faulty VC?
Any ideas?
Thanks for your time

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 16 Nov 2014, 03:05

What does the front CV of the drive shaft look like?

RockpileUK · Post by **RockpileUK** » 16 Nov 2014, 22:24

Front CV looks fine

breesay1 · Post by **breesay1** » 17 Nov 2014, 11:39

I had a similar issue on my 1999 AWD R... mine also went away when I removed the prop shaft and drove it FWD mode. I finally replaced the angle gear with a used unit from a local junk yard that allows you to return transfer cases if they don't work once installed ($250). I of course replaced its fluid (which was clean anyway). I guess I got lucky on the unit, as the clunking is all gone and the AWD system is back to kicking. So, my guess, unfortunately, would be your angle/bevel gear.

The only qualifier is that I also replaced my drive axles up front at almost the same time, so they were it excellent shape when the new bevel went in and I was thus 100% sure that the low speed max-turn issue was not axle-related.

Note: the old bevel gear looked fine, the transmission connector sleeve was not stripped, the gears were clean and the fluid was metal-shavings-free... but when I grabbed the tranny-side coupler sleeve and the power output at the back of the gear that sends power to the prop shaft and twisted hard... sure enough, it spun freely. Basically my angle gear failed where the angled gear itself is glued/bonded (weirdly) to the steel axle that comes in from the transmission. All appeared fine, but the gear was spinning under heavier forces around the axle to which it is mounted.

I hope that helps...

RockpileUK · Post by **RockpileUK** » 23 Jul 2015, 17:55

Hey thanks, for your reply
Turns out it was the angle gear, managed to get a rebuilt one for a very good price and had it installed in a couple of hours
It drives perfect now!
Very happy to have the AWD back
Thanks again