Drive Shaft Center Bearing for my 02 V70 XC - replaceable?

Post by **SuperHerman** » 15 May 2018, 20:54

That is great news. Can you provide any additional information or pictures as many have this same issue? Maybe list what you bought and where and then what you did. Other than rust - any other issues?

mrjay62 · Post by **mrjay62** » 15 May 2018, 21:43

Hi SuperHerman
I didnt take to many more pictures than what I posted.
The hardest part for me was removing the CV joints one from the bevel gear and one from the Rear end,they were rusted in pretty good,
After removing the bolts I started spraying bp blaster and letting do it's thing. Used a small brass hammer and tapped away for hours,
Finally got out a slide hammer with a chain attachment and a 3 lb weight and gently started tapping away, My fear was hurting the Bevel gear or the rear end... But after few pulls of the slide hammer she gave...Front was harder than the rear...
The center Support bracket you seen how bad that was, i sand blasted it then I welded a couple plates to patch some rust holds and extra support.
When reinstalling Do The Front 1st...Trust me..
Since my drive shaft Doesn't come apart to replace the Carrier Bearing, Not without Cutting , Welding and having it balanced.
I Got one from BuyAutoParts.com 168.00 free shipping.
Looks and feel like a Good Drive Shaft... So far it's working fine no vibration no weird sounds nice and smooth.

Hope this helps someone..

Post by **SuperHerman** » 15 May 2018, 23:32

mrjay62 - thanks for the info. So you didn't replace the carrier bearing - rather you replaced the entire drive shaft.

What I am curious about is whether that joint truly will not come apart. You are the second forum member that has stated this, but I see others that have taken them apart. Maybe it is a different drive shaft design.

So, if you still have the old unit can you post some pictures of the inside of that U-joint? In your last picture you have the back of the joint showing with the remnants of the carrier bearing on the side I want to see - that must have made a serious howl. Anyway, can you provide some pictures from the other direction of the inside of that U-joint? I am looking for a bolt or a circlip which holds the U-joint and shaft that prevents it from sliding out of the main tube. It is entirely possible it is a welded unit

Either way I am glad you got it up and running and the price for a drive shaft is solid. To be honest at that price it is not worth changing the carrier bearing as the actual U-joints are looking pretty rough.

mrjay62 · Post by **mrjay62** » 16 May 2018, 00:24

Oh trust me I tried getting it apart even used a 5ton chain comelong between 2 F250 pickups while heating and beating it with a BFH... No Go..
I didn't want to believe that it didn't come apart.
There is No bolt or Circlip within yoke like many other drive shafts.
After reading as so many others have it seems that 01,02 v70 xc Drive Shafts Do Not Come Apart...
They Are a Welded Unit... I even calledl Colorado driveshafts they told me the samething some models are a welded unit.( but they have new ones for only 600.00$ plus shipping.)
And for a 16 year old car 168.00 for a drive shaft was well worth it to me..

Maybe tomorrow I can snap a few other pictures for you...

Calling it a night.... gn.

Post by **abscate** » 16 May 2018, 09:55

Those UJs are staked in , which means you need a good press to get them apart. That seems to be a common practice now on a lot of cars - no more UJ replacements, just drive axle replacements.

Of course, labor to remove a UJ and put a new one in is probably 200 per, so the delta isn't as big as it seems if you are paying to have it done.

mrjay62 · Post by **mrjay62** » 16 May 2018, 10:44

Abscate-
Hi.. Your right we become a disposable world no money in repairing something if you can replace it for half as much. Plus so many people become lazy..lol
I don't mind doing the research and work myself And I cant see paying a premium labor cost because the badge says Volvo.
Keep up with Routine Maintenance and car seems to do just fine. The electronics/ modules on the other hand That's a Whole Different
Topic... I found that if I cleaned every connection I come across and grease them they seem trouble free...

Anyways Superherman wanted more pictures of the drive shaft ... This One Does Not Come Apart...
This is after I removed the carriage bearing I also looked for a bolt that was holding the yoke to the shaft... None found.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 16 May 2018, 21:54

Thanks for the latest photos. I agree that without cutting and welding that prop shaft center bearing is not serviceable.

This is good information for other members in the future with the same question. If their prop shaft looks like yours servicing is not practical.

mrjay62 · Post by **mrjay62** » 16 May 2018, 22:15

Not a problem.
If I get a few years out of this aftermarket prop, drive shaft ill be a happy camper....

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2018, 03:40

That would press out on the bench easily.

The real crime here is that for a $2 zerk fitting on the UJ, and a annual 7 pumps of grease from a grease gun, that UJ lives forever,

mrjay62 · Post by **mrjay62** » 17 May 2018, 07:14

Yes abscate.
That U joint would press out easily and easy to replace , Just like replacing the CV joints on both ends... The Problem is the Prop/Drive Shaft Does Not Come apart to Replace the Carrier Bearing.
That shaft does not come apart ....
For some reason they made it as a disposable part.... Cheaper to Replace than repair.

Drive Shaft Center Bearing for my 02 V70 XC - replaceable?

Re: CARRIER BEARING.