Regular AWD Cars

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 19 Nov 2019, 18:14

Were the regular P80 AWD cars popular, as in many sold? I have a 98 GLT AWD, and I have not seen many others with a standard AWD, just the R version or XC version. From what I have read, the R and regular AWD have the same suspension in North America, but the same LPT engine and transmission as the XC.

Post by **June** » 19 Nov 2019, 18:54

befarrer wrote: ↑19 Nov 2019, 18:14 Were the regular P80 AWD cars popular, as in many sold? I have a 98 GLT AWD, and I have not seen many others with a standard AWD, just the R version or XC version. From what I have read, the R and regular AWD have the same suspension in North America, but the same LPT engine and transmission as the XC.

No the AWD was not common or popular those first few years. I had a 98 V70 Cross Country new. I only bought it because it was the only fully loaded car on the lot in the color scheme I wanted. I had no idea it was AWD, or what AWD was at the time of purchasing. AWD was not common in 98 for most automakers. My dealer only sold a couple for 98. It was more expensive and my feeling at the time Volvo was testing the water. Here in the states Volvo's top of the line was the S90 Royal a rebadged 960 Royal which was RWD. Most Volvo customers wanted RWD. The 850 rebadged as _70 was only in it's 7th year. Pryor to 91 RWD was it for Volvo at least here in the states. Now AWD is hard to escape! June

Post by **scot850** » 20 Nov 2019, 00:20

They started in 97 with the 850 AWD with a manual transmission not an auto. I don't believe that was sold in the US. There is also the S70 AWD and V70 AWD both with the similar ride height to the V70R. Now I am not sure if they were sold as a manual as well as an auto but I think they were all auto and had the same motor and output as the V70 XC. The V70 XC seemed to have a lot more sales than the regular S/V70 AWD as I have seen way more of them around.

Neil.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 20 Nov 2019, 02:24

Those early S/V70 Awds are rare over here as well. Even the XC was never very common. And since the awd is both quite useless and prone to break you barely ever see them anymore while the regular versions are still around in decent numbers.

Post by **June** » 20 Nov 2019, 06:19

Rattnalle wrote: ↑20 Nov 2019, 02:24 And since the awd is both quite useless and prone to break

This was my experience 100%!! I traded it in late 2001and at that point the AWD system had broke at least 10 times during the three years of ownership. Also the automatic transmission overheated regularly at highway speeds. I think Volvo didn't take hot weather in mind considering the extra strain the AWD system causes the transmission. Really the worst was when it threw the driveshaft on the interstate through the grille and radiator of a car behind me. That cost my insurance plenty. Admittedly I was pissed off at the car for acting up again and was beating on the accelerator. To this day I will never trust any AWD system enough to buy another one. June

Post by **abscate** » 20 Nov 2019, 06:28

June - don't you miss all four wheels spinning when you turn them upside down, though?

Post by **June** » 20 Nov 2019, 07:58

abscate wrote: ↑20 Nov 2019, 06:28 June - don't you miss all four wheels spinning when you turn them upside down, though?

All four would only spin if it was the one week out of the month the system might be working... Besides it was such a DOG at interstate speed, it might not have gone fast enough to flip to begin with! That must have been Volvo's RDS Rollover Deterrent System

June

Post by **scot850** » 20 Nov 2019, 13:37

Volvo had many issues with the early P80 AWD cars and up to the Haldex change over on the P2's.

Many of the issues were the dealers and their mechanics did not realise that all tires had to be worn within a very small tolerance or it loaded up the AWD and burnt it out. Customers were not advised if you break a tire you have to replace all 4 tires, so they didn't and then wrecked the systems.

The system was weak at best, but when it works it works ok, and if maintained (many did not get TLC) they can last a long time. They do not like to be hammered on. Even the dealers did not know that the VC unit had to be stored vertically. If they weren't they failed immediately they were replaced as the fluid inside had drained away from the clutch.

Then there was the auto trans were "sealed for life" stupidity from Volvo. After many complaints for failed transmissions, they now recommend a 80,000km transmission fluid flush. This issue was not only a problem with AWD cars, but murkies the water and driveline issues.

The newer Haldex system also has it's issues but again much is to do with lack of maintenance and servicing.

I have been lucky so far with the AWD system and the main issue has been failed prop-shaft center bearing supports.

Neil.

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Nov 2019, 14:02

View a summary of the first 3 Volvo AWD Generations -- P80 and early P2

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 20 Nov 2019, 14:17

When I got my car in July with 232,700km on it, the awd driveshaft was still installed. I realized the front CV boot was gone, heard it's from the location to the downpipe. I fully tested the system before I removed the driveshaft. The viscous coupling is tight, the overrun clutch works, center bearing is also tight. I left the driveshaft out while I drove the car during the summer working the other bugs out. I installed a new front CV joint and cleaned and regreased the rear CV about a month ago. Also changed my front and rear bevel gear oils and installed a new sleeve when I changed the right axle seals. From what I read, the front wheels drive the rear wheels, but the rear wheels can't drive the front (like under braking), so I have been running a couple psi less pressure in the rear tires to help drivetrain strain.