98 V70 All is not well in Volvo Land

[MrAl]

Hello there,

When you say there are no "good" aftermarket CV axles, do you mean that they are available but the quality is not that good? If so, how bad are they?

I'm no expert...just a DIY guy who has done some fairly challenging projects on this volvo. From what I've read - I've done extensive research on this - almost all aftermarket parts are made in China. I'm an engineer who maintained a fleet machinery for about 15 years - so I know a little about this. You can get a good part from china or you can get junk, sometimes from the same manufacturer. Their quality is sporadic, From what I've read, all or almost all aftermarket axles are made in China. Thats why they cost under $100. If I have to spend my whole afternoon installing a part I don't want to have to remove it the following weekend

I've read mostly good things about axles unlimited although there were some negative comments mixed in with the mostly positive ones. They rebuild axles from used parts. The one I got has a mark or gouge in the sealing surface. It was painted over so I didn't see until I took the part off and removed the paint on the seal surface to figure out why it was leaking. It had multiple marks on it. Apparently they didn't look it over very closely. So at least for that part it created work for me just like the Chinese junk. You've probably guessed Im not too happy about it.

Today I'm considering just buying the very expensive volvo part and sending the remanufactured one back. That's the cleanest an easiest thing to do but I'll pay through the nose for the convenience.

Hello again,

Oh ok i think i am starting to get the picture now. So Volvo makes good ones, but you have to pay a lot for one. Do you happen do know the approximate price for the good Volvo one, say the drivers side, and is the passenger side the same or different?

I have the same car so i am very interested in this topic too

[abscate]

I think OEM Volvo axles are about $600 at the vendors here on MVS

[MrAl]

Hi there Steve,

Oh i see, wow, quite a difference, from 60 dollars to 600 dollars.
I would hope they are a lot better.
Thanks.

[98v70dad]

Someone told me you can still get the GKN CV Joint but only from Europe, UK etc.

Below is an example of GKN CV Joint from the UK, just make sure you buy the correct CV Joint (Turbo vs non-Turbo, check what you have in the car 1st):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-S80 ... 1782215839

Thanks. That looks like a good tip but I don't know what it is. I need the whole axle, not just one end since I don't have any original parts to build a new one from.

[abscate]

Hi there Steve,

Oh i see, wow, quite a difference, from 60 dollars to 600 dollars.
I would hope they are a lot better.
Thanks.

They last 20 years/200,000 miles.

[98v70dad]

I think OEM Volvo axles are about $600 at the vendors here on MVS

My local dealer sells discounted parts online. I think his price for the drivers side was $397 plus tax - not that bad considering how long they last. It may have been 497. Expensive in either case.

[abscate]

I have a used OEM one from Erie VoVo on my 1999 after I destroyed the original during a FWB job
I paid 99 delivered.

Great option.

[MadeInJapan]

Have you guys tried NAPA? The last driver's side axle I bought for my S70 a few years ago came from them and I've had zero problems with it- If I'm not mistaken, it was right at $100 or maybe even a little less. I could have done a core swap but I chose to keep mine, so it's in a box. I figured I might rebuild the CV joint in it some day, or pass it on to a needy sole.