98 v70 AWD left axle in 98 V70 NA non-awd

Post by **98v70dad** » 13 Dec 2016, 05:41

Will an AWD drive turbo automatic left side axle work in a 98 V70 NA automatic? In other words, are those axles interchangeable?

I spent the day yesterday looking on line (at home sick) and found nothing definitive. I did find one post on another site that indicated that everything available for an automatic transmission is interchangeable on the drivers side but I would like some confirmation of that before I order parts.

Post by **98v70dad** » 13 Dec 2016, 08:17

Sorry, The subject line should say LEFT axle (drivers side) - my mistake. Based on what I found on my online search yesterday the right side is NOT interchangeable but the left (drivers side) is. Seems odd. That's why I'm looking for confirmation from someone.

Post by **scot850** » 13 Dec 2016, 15:09

I believe you can use the RH axle on a FWD from the AWD but not the other way around as the AWD axle has provision for a seal on the angle-gear casing. Not sure about the LH side though. If the number of splines are the same on both of the ends of the shaft, and the overall lengths are the same why not use it? There is some rumour the Turbo and AWD are thicker to take the extra load, and one AWD axle on my 98 V70XC had an extra balance weight collar in the middle of the shaft, but not sure what purpose it served other than to be a pin to remove to replace the CV boots. This is not replaceable and the bolts welded themselves in place so I had to cut the 2 bolts to separate to remove them and then drill out the bolt remains, clean the threads and when to my local bolt store to buy new bolts.

Perhaps someone else out there has a view on this?

Neil.

Post by **98v70dad** » 13 Dec 2016, 17:00

scot850 wrote:I believe you can use the RH axle on a FWD from the AWD but not the other way around as the AWD axle has provision for a seal on the angle-gear casing. Not sure about the LH side though. If the number of splines are the same on both of the ends of the shaft, and the overall lengths are the same why not use it? There is some rumour the Turbo and AWD are thicker to take the extra load, and one AWD axle on my 98 V70XC had an extra balance weight collar in the middle of the shaft, but not sure what purpose it served other than to be a pin to remove to replace the CV boots. This is not replaceable and the bolts welded themselves in place so I had to cut the 2 bolts to separate to remove them and then drill out the bolt remains, clean the threads and when to my local bolt store to buy new bolts.

Perhaps someone else out there has a view on this?

Neil.

Thanks. The forum is strangely silent on this. Unfortunately I made a mistake on the subject line which didn't help my cause. I bought two axles in great shape from a volvo salvage business and they were so cheap that I figured they were were worth the risk of not knowing if they would fit my car. It turns out the right side is for an automatic 98 V70 turbo (will work on my 98 V70 NA car) and the left is for an automatic 98 V70 "something else" - probably an AWD since that's what written on it in yellow marking pen. Its possibly for a turbo since there is a T in one of the numbers on the p/n sticker. Every detail that I can easily measure or check on the salvaged left axle matches my 98 V70 NA automatic axle including the ABS tick marks. The outer hub diameter is the notable exception (about 10 mm bigger) although its not really relevant except for selecting a compatible boot. Measuring the compressed length without help is tough. I wasn't able to do it by myself. My wife and daughter (both potential helpers) are both up in Maine for a graduate school visit.

It bothers me a little to Frankenstein my car with a bunch of mismatched parts but if I can keep the axles OE and they work I'll do it. As long as I own it I'll know the configuration and the next guy will get a better quality machine.

Post by **98v70dad** » 13 Dec 2016, 19:25

I worked on the problem a little while tonight and used a couple of my woodworking clamps to help me compare the compressed length. The AWD axle (yellow markings on it) is about 1/4 inch longer than the FWD axle. The FWD axle is an aftermarket part with at least 5 years and 50,000 miles on it. The parts otherwise are nearly identical. Differences noted are a) slight compressed end to end length difference - about 0.25 inches - hard to get an accurate measurement b) AWD outer hub about 10 mm bigger near boot. c) AWD middle shaft longer - easily seen in photo.

Splines on both ends are the same (same number). Sealing surface at AT end the same. Splined length at transmission side the same. Splined length at wheel hub nearly the same - didn't measure but maybe within 1/8 inch. Spaces between the ABS marks on both outer hubs the same. Diameter of hub at ABS marks the same.

The length difference even though its small makes me think the AWD part wont work on my car although I've read otherwise at other websites. The fact that my failed part is aftermarket and worn out and not OE could explain the small difference. What I'm trying to avoid is tearing into the replacement only to find my junkyard find doesn't fit. I'd rather find out now so I can take it back and exchange it. The guy who sold it to me told me it would work and I found the best one in the pile. It has so few miles on it you can still read the part number sticker. Unfortunately the sticker has a hole in it right where the actual part number was.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Post by **scot850** » 13 Dec 2016, 19:32

The turbo has bigger inner 'knuckles'/CV joint than the NA so uses a larger CV boot. Otherwise does the same job but made to take more power.

As long as the inner support bearing on the RH axle is in the same place the inner CV is not located on anything so isn't an issue, it would only be an issue with the outer ABS ring if it is a bigger diameter so it doesn't fit into the hub assembly. Also check the diameter of both ends of the axles at the splines. Looking at your pictures of the outer joint, it looks like the splines on the lower one are longer. Check they don't protrude beyond the wheel bearing and prevent the nut tightening down.

Neil.

Post by **98v70dad** » 13 Dec 2016, 19:58

scot850 wrote:The turbo has bigger inner 'knuckles'/CV joint than the NA so uses a larger CV boot. Otherwise does the same job but made to take more power.

As long as the inner support bearing on the RH axle is in the same place the inner CV is not located on anything so isn't an issue, it would only be an issue with the outer ABS ring if it is a bigger diameter so it doesn't fit into the hub assembly. Also check the diameter of both ends of the axles at the splines. Looking at your pictures of the outer joint, it looks like the splines on the lower one are longer. Check they don't protrude beyond the wheel bearing and prevent the nut tightening down.

Neil.

I detailed all of the similarities and differences in the text above the pictures. These are LH (drivers side) axles but I accidentally typed RH in the subject line and couldn't correct it. I corrected that error in the text of my second post. I provided all the written detail because the pictures are a little misleading. I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Dec 2016, 21:02

98v70dad wrote:I detailed all of the similarities and differences in the text above the pictures. These are LH (drivers side) axles but I accidentally typed RH in the subject line and couldn't correct it. I corrected that error in the text of my second post. I provided all the written detail because the pictures are a little misleading. I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Fixed!

Post by **98v70dad** » 14 Dec 2016, 18:27

Well folks, I would really appreciate any additional comments on this. Somebody has to know more than me about it. I have spent a lot of time looking and found literally nothing that I can count on as being correct.

Here's an easier question: Does anyone know what the compressed length of a 98 V70 NA left axle is supposed to be? Mine measures 22.5 inches but its an aftermarket and it is worn out. I've not found anything definitive on this measurement either.

57gretsch · Post by **57gretsch** » 15 Dec 2016, 00:09

I believe I had seen an extensive article on the different driveshaft used throughout the P80 life. Mostly covering the AWD models. But, I recall seeing some info on the NA versus AWD and compatibility for the main driveshafts.