98 v70 base manual transmission question

Danpaco · Post by **Danpaco** » 08 Jan 2015, 12:56

Just got back from the mechanic, the differential gear inside my transmission is failing, crazy hum starting at 35 mph, the axel seal is blown on the passenger side, signs of slow leaking before seal failed. Fix, new transmission.
The car has 140K miles on it, many repairs done to it over the last 2yrs including timing belt, PCV, heater core, rear springs and shocks, CV axels ( the car was in poor shape when I got it). The engine seems strong.
Questions
1 To fix the differential gear in the transmission does it involve an entire Trans mission rebuild?
2 what ballpark price am I looking at to fix this? (My mechanic doesn't do transmissions)
3 is it worth it?
Considering the DIY effort I've put into this car to date with the help of this site, most major problems overhauled, new brake rotors and pads sitting in my garage, my decision is tough.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Danpaco

Post by **FLXC90** » 08 Jan 2015, 13:45

At 140k the car is a baby. But like all babies, it will need things; suspension maintenance (you can do) Do you like the car enough that as long as it is financially reasonable, you don't need to trade-in or up?

Differential requires a lot of work, but not everything in the trans has to be replaced. It would make more sense to have the wear items in it replaced (synchros etc) that need it while it's apart. It will be expensive, but so are car payments. Use that justification and see if it makes sense.

Check Southern vovo or CL for a replacement unit, may be most cost effective.

Danpaco · Post by **Danpaco** » 08 Jan 2015, 14:56

It is a baby! Most of the rear suspension is done, just a delta link away. The front was my next project.
"Do I like the car enough?"
After doing all of these maintenance items myself I now have an emotional attachment to the car. I have never attempted car repairs before this one and I find I enjoy doing them. I do hate the interior, ripped cloth seats are not pretty but I was willing to overlook.
I'm thinking I might buy another v70 of the same vintage and keep the deadish one for parts.
My ceiling on repairing the transmission would be $800, is that even possible?
Danpaco

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 08 Jan 2015, 15:37

The problem that you will run into is that there are no parts available for the transmission itself beyond a few bolts, brackets, and seals. All measure of parts are available for the automatics but not the manuals. Several months ago I found the actual manufacturer but I can't remember their name. Searches for parts under the OEM manufacturer name yielded no parts source either.

It could be that the bottom end of the transaxle is the same on the automatic and the manual but I highly doubt it. Sadly, I think about the best you can do is come up with a used M56 transmission but the budget likely won't cover both the transmission and a new clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing which you would be nuts not to change while you are there.

Edit: I think that I remember that Getrag made the transmission but there are a couple of sites that claim that Koping Engineering made them. The parts, or lack thereof, problem is the same on either case.

...Lee

Danpaco · Post by **Danpaco** » 08 Jan 2015, 16:13

I bought the car in a jam. I was moving to NY from Toronto and the car I had suffered catastrophic timing belt failure, It's still parked in my garage in Toronto. I paid $1800 CAN for the Volvo and wanted it to get me from NY to Toronto 6 times. It did that and then some. The car owes me nothing and it gave me an education.
Luckily I have a friend with a farm close by that I can park the car and uninstall all the parts I've put into it.
A local car seller I've dealt with before offered to take me to an auction this weekend to try and find a similar car. Maybe I'll get a turbo this time or an R series.
My outlook has changed, I'm saying goodbye.
I can use the parts from my car (98) up to 2000, correct?

Post by **abscate** » 08 Jan 2015, 19:34

Dan....we have a user in NY downstate looking for a manual V70 project...hold off on parting that out until I can connect you up.

Where are you located? Erie VoVo is located in Utica which is a long hour from my weekend Albany location

Danpaco · Post by **Danpaco** » 08 Jan 2015, 20:01

I'm mid Hudson area, Putnam county. Would appreciate that a lot.
Danpaco

Post by **850 LPT** » 09 Jan 2015, 06:04

abscate wrote:Dan....we have a user in NY downstate looking for a manual V70 project...hold off on parting that out until I can connect you up.

Where are you located? Erie VoVo is located in Utica which is a long hour from my weekend Albany location

That would be me, thanks Steve. Yes, this is the kind of car I'm looking for, and it certainly sounds like it is worth saving.
But I'm afraid I don't have the time available to take on something serious like this. I was hoping to find something with the running gear intact with relatively low miles, and start fixing all the usual stuff as time and money permits.

Sorry, but I'll have to pass..

Dirk

Post by **E Showell** » 09 Jan 2015, 07:27

Definitely worth a call to Erie Vovo. You may get lucky, but as others have stated, the manuals are rather rare.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Jan 2015, 09:35

Just had a quick look at Erie and they show priced at 1000 bucks. Thats pretty over priced if you ask me. I bet they would take less or keep looking.