98 V70XC Drivetrain Nightmare (Includes bogus diagnosis)

JoelDirte · Post by **JoelDirte** » 19 Apr 2017, 15:00

Hi all, I'm new here but have found lots of great info from the people here just browsing, but what I've got is quite confusing.

Problem: I got on the highway one day to a real bad shake, and when I pulled off at the next exit, there was a super bad grinding.

Attempt 1: I trailered the car to a family friend mechanic, and he adamantly told me that the driveshaft was bad, so I removed it. The shaking was not nearly as bad as it was but the grinding got very, very loud. I parked it again.

Attempt 2: I trailered it to a second shop, this time ASE Certified. They said they could not fix it because I damaged my driveshaft during removal and sourcing those is a pain, and they are above making an incomplete repair. However, they diagnosed it as the angle gear, not my next guess which was a CV Axle or Wheel Bearing. Funny thing is though, the grinding noise comes from the driver's side, and I know that the angle gear is on the passenger side.

Questions: Can the angle gear cause a noise on the opposite side of the vehicle?
Do I dare to just pull the angle gear from my parts car, and swap it to see what happens?
OR: Is this worth trailering it in for a third diagnosis?

I would like to make the repair myself, but am at a loss so far as diagnosis goes.

My plan: If it is indeed the angle gear, I will replace that immediately and just get the driveshaft before the snow flies.

Post by **scot850** » 19 Apr 2017, 16:20

The angle gear is offset slightly to the driver's side and it bolted to the side of the transmission ad the back of the engine. What normally fails in those is a splined sleeve between the transmission and the angle gear shaft which transmits the power then to the rear axle. The sleeve splines strip and in worst case shortly after strip the angle gear shaft too. The sleeve can be replaced but requires the RH axle to be removed (it runs through the angle gear to the transmission), then the angle gear can be removed from the side of the transmission to be inspected for damage.

If it is totally fubar'd then your options are a used replacement, or doing a delete and running the car as a FWD.

There is a thread on this subject from not too long ago. One of our MVS members used a couple of worm drive clamps to hold the sleeve into the transmission and refitted the RH axle. The sleeve has to be used as it seals the oil into the transmission. I read someone else did the same but glued the sleeve in as well. Both have been running their cars for many miles since with no leaks.

Not sure what 'damage' you can do to the prop-shaft removing it, but I think I saw you are in Colorado, so you can take it for repair to Colorado Driveshaft who specialise on these.

Neil.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 19 Apr 2017, 19:46

Any chance you were driving on mismatched tires?
That'll wreak havoc on the AWD with the quickness...

JoelDirte · Post by **JoelDirte** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:12

scot850 wrote: ↑19 Apr 2017, 16:20 The angle gear is offset slightly to the driver's side and it bolted to the side of the transmission ad the back of the engine. What normally fails in those is a splined sleeve between the transmission and the angle gear shaft which transmits the power then to the rear axle. The sleeve splines strip and in worst case shortly after strip the angle gear shaft too. The sleeve can be replaced but requires the RH axle to be removed (it runs through the angle gear to the transmission), then the angle gear can be removed from the side of the transmission to be inspected for damage.

If it is totally fubar'd then your options are a used replacement, or doing a delete and running the car as a FWD.

There is a thread on this subject from not too long ago. One of our MVS members used a couple of worm drive clamps to hold the sleeve into the transmission and refitted the RH axle. The sleeve has to be used as it seals the oil into the transmission. I read someone else did the same but glued the sleeve in as well. Both have been running their cars for many miles since with no leaks.

Not sure what 'damage' you can do to the prop-shaft removing it, but I think I saw you are in Colorado, so you can take it for repair to Colorado Driveshaft who specialise on these.

Neil.

Okay sweet! I appreciate the info.

So basically you agree that the failure is in the angle gear assembly, most likely the sleeve? Which means: Taking it apart is the only way to identify what failed.If I got that right.

Do you have a handy source for this sleeve, or do I need to get that through a dealership parts department?
I already found CO Driveshaft in a previous lurk through this site, I have contacted them and while pricy, is my most solid lead on a that part, its really not much more for a total rebuilt vs used at places that pull your part for you. And, also, I was told to get it out of where it was at, I had about an hour left of my 24, and one bolt to go, which was stripped and frozen and I had tried heat, penetrating oil, tap and die, and everything else, so I just took an angle grinder to the head of it to keep my car off the tow truck. It cut into the aluminum boot, but I was able to not have it get impounded so I'd say it was worth it.

Deleting it is not an option, in my mind. My uncle rebuilt this car twice and it was left to me when he passed.
But its good to know where I can find info on that in case i were to ever have another one and the same issue.

JoelDirte · Post by **JoelDirte** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:17

BEJinFbk wrote: ↑19 Apr 2017, 19:46 Any chance you were driving on mismatched tires?
That'll wreak havoc on the AWD with the quickness...

As a matter of fact, I was. 4 different sizes.
I've also been using leaded 68Octane Leaded gasoline, I topped off my brake fluid with water when I last changed the shoes, and I eat noodles with a spoon.

Post by **matthew1** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:21

Post by **scot850** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:42

OK guys, let's play nice. We don't always know new people to the site or their knowledge level of the quirks of the vehicles, so we have to ask. No insults intended to anyone.

Anyway, Joe, in regard to other sources for the sleeve, you could try vivaperformance ( a sponsor on MVS if I recall) or it may be ARD who offer a repair part for this problem. Can't recall now if the pricing is on par or less.

As you are based in Colorado, I'm sure the AWD comes into use in the winters, and I understand the sentimental attachment. Let us know what else we can do to help. As for used angle gears, you could try vandsautodismantlers near Sacramento, CA. They are a specialist Volvo and Saab breaker.

Neil

JoelDirte · Post by **JoelDirte** » 21 Apr 2017, 14:39

scot850 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2017, 13:42 OK guys, let's play nice. We don't always know new people to the site or their knowledge level of the quirks of the vehicles, so we have to ask. No insults intended to anyone.

Anyway, Joe, in regard to other sources for the sleeve, you could try vivaperformance ( a sponsor on MVS if I recall) or it may be ARD who offer a repair part for this problem. Can't recall now if the pricing is on par or less.

As you are based in Colorado, I'm sure the AWD comes into use in the winters, and I understand the sentimental attachment. Let us know what else we can do to help. As for used angle gears, you could try vandsautodismantlers near Sacramento, CA. They are a specialist Volvo and Saab breaker.

Neil

Sorry boys for my defensiveness. I guess I take for granted that I actually was taught common sense things about respecting your vehicle at a young age (super blessed) and that was, indeed, worth asking. Thank you for the thought anyways, guy who asked that.

I'll see what I see in those places for the sleeve. I am going to pull the gear from my parts car first, for learning purposes as well, and it should be good. If I remember correctly that car was driven too far with a blown head gasket and that's why he scooped it as a parts car, so I can only imagine that that part is fine, but will still be replacing the sleeve new.

Thanks again for the info, I'll be sure to post my solution for you guys. That should be about all I need, if any more hangups come my way I'll post that too, because you guys are full of A1 info.

Keep it up, guys.

Post by **kahl** » 22 Apr 2017, 06:45

I have a sleeve you can have for postage.

JoelDirte · Post by **JoelDirte** » 22 Apr 2017, 13:10

kahl wrote: ↑22 Apr 2017, 06:45 I have a sleeve you can have for postage.

This is a badass offer. i'm touched.

However I was looking at the whole kit on Viva and it comes with all the seals, which I intend to replace while it's out.
i'll look for the seals themselves and if I can get those, then I might trouble you for that. If not I'll just get the kit, however much I appreciate that.

Thanks yo.