2000 V70XC Angle gear failure

eriksv70 · Post by **eriksv70** » 27 Jul 2015, 13:39

My Volvo mechanic says our angle gear failed and a new one from dealer is $1800 plus $300 labor. I said Ouch. He suggested that he disconnect the transfer case and run it in front wheel drive until we can afford to get the angle gear put in. Is this a good idea? I guess we would get better gas mileage.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jul 2015, 20:00

You have a good mechanic there. Yes you can remove the prop-shaft to the rear and run it in FWD. There are many discussions on the forum about that. Unless you really need the AWD then leave it as FWD. Otherwise look at a used unit from one of the reputable used parts suppliers. Erie Vo-vo (EAST), vandsautodismantlers (WEST), Southern Volvo (?).

Neil.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 Jul 2015, 20:11

While you can remove the prop shaft you really can't remove the angle gear due to the way the transmission seals. There is a collar that goes between the transmission and the angle gear that is the seal surface between the two units. If you can come up with a way to hold the collar in place it can be done but as I understand the system the right hand axle and the angle gear collar are counter rotating.

Without the collar in place all of the transmission fluid leaks out.

We had one member who claimed he used a hose clamp to act as a stop and just more or less let the grind on each other.

...Lee

eriksv70 · Post by **eriksv70** » 28 Jul 2015, 12:50

Ok great, thanks for the help. I pick it up today. Is the prop shaft the actual drive shaft to the rear wheels? If that's what the mechanic removed, I assume I can take the prop shaft home with me and put it on ice until I can get a used angle gear.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Jul 2015, 16:49

If the noise / vibration all goes away after you remove the prop shaft then the problem may simply be the joints and/or the carrier bearing on the shaft and the angle gear is OK. Be sure to get the shaft and take it with you, you can get it rebuilt. Most (but not all) angle gear problem persist even with the prop shaft removed. Most, if not all, prop shafts will have problems while most angle gears can last for the life of the car if they are not abused with improper towing or mismatched tires.

Yes, the prop shaft is the drive shaft to the rear wheels.

...Lee

eriksv70 · Post by **eriksv70** » 29 Jul 2015, 11:25

Thanks Lee. I failed to mention in my original post the reason I had it towed to my Volvo guy is that I was doing around 70 on I-5 when something blew and I was unable to drive. He said my angle gear was shot as well as the transfer case. He removed the prop shaft and slapped on one of his spare transfer cases(also with a bad angle gear), sealed it all up and I was out the door for $400. I will feel really stupid if this was caused by mismatched tires. I have same size but different brands, and just noticed the speed ratings are different. Crap.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Jul 2015, 17:19

OK, now this makes sense. Technically Volvo calls the transfer case assembly the angle gear or in some cases the bevel gear. Later versions of the parts catalog just call it the transfer case. The important thing, and you indeed have a good mechanic, is that the housing is there and bolted up. If the guts are stripped out of it it doesn't matter so long as there is something there to hold the collar in place. The half shaft axle for the right hand side just goes through the case but the case doesn't drive it. The transmission drives both front axles directly.

The speed rating on the tires shouldn't matter but the case is so sensitive that uneven tread wear can screw it up. On my AWD I buy tires four at a time and I rotate them every other oil change. That might be overkill but the downside is just too huge to not do it.

...Lee

Post by **850 LPT** » 30 Jul 2015, 09:18

Ozark Lee wrote:The speed rating on the tires shouldn't matter but the case is so sensitive that uneven tread wear can screw it up. On my AWD I buy tires four at a time and I rotate them every other oil change. That might be overkill but the downside is just too huge to not do it.

...Lee

I don't think that is overkill. I'm even more paranoid and rotate the tires on my XC with every oil change. It takes 45 mins in my own garage and I think it's worth it.

Post by **rspi** » 30 Jul 2015, 09:59

eriksv70 wrote: I have same size but different brands, and just noticed the speed ratings are different. Crap.

The first thing you need to decide is if you want to go back with the AWD system. If so, there is a chance that I can find you an angle gear and get it delivered to you. Then you can decide if you want me to install it or have your mechanic do it. As Lee expressed, it sounds like your mechanic is good.

I usually find those things for about $75 in good shape.

eriksv70 · Post by **eriksv70** » 30 Jul 2015, 12:37

I usually find those things for about $75 in good shape.

Wow, $75 is much better that the $900 prices I was seeing on ebay. I do eventually want to go back to AWD for winter driving. I would have my mechanic do the installation. Thanks for the connect.