2000 V70 XC - how do you know if awd is working correctly?

PeterI · Post by **PeterI** » 09 Jun 2015, 09:46

I am considering getting another V70 XC. My understanding is if the angle drive or awd isn't functioning , it will have a bad vibration and make some noises. If the driveshaft is connected and everything driving normally, isn't the awd engaged and functioning? I'm asking because I'm unsure how to "test" if a used V70xc has a good angle drive and is driving the rear wheels as well. It seems unless there was massive breakage inside the angle drive, you always have power going to the rear wheels.

Thanks for advice.

Pete

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 09 Jun 2015, 14:07

The quick and dirty test is to see if the prop shaft is hooked up. If it is and the car doesn't vibrate badly then chances are the AWD is fine. You can tell the difference driving between AWD and FWD but I don't think I can adequately describe it. The AWD feels a bit heavier in the handling department but I don't think any two Volvo P80 cars feel exactly the same in the steering anyway, even the FWD cars all feel a bit different when you go from one to another.

...Lee

PeterI · Post by **PeterI** » 09 Jun 2015, 14:28

Thank you. On my car (with 118K mi) the driveshaft is hooked up but I have only been driving the car a few months, so I have always assumed it was working fine. I am very experienced with Euro cars but not so much with Volvo or AWD.
I would like to put a video cam under the car while driving and see if the driveshaft is turning. Kidding, but that would tell you for sure.
About rear diff, what gear oil to use? Volvo oil only at $30/qt, or is there an equivalent? I put Mobil 1 75W90 synth in my angle drive.

Thanks

Pete

Post by **jimmy57** » 09 Jun 2015, 17:03

For viscous coupling AWD in 97-2000 models you jack up one rear wheel with trans in Park and then apply a torque wrench on a wheel bolt on the raised wheel and apply force. The wheel should move smoothly at more than 60 lb-ft and not more than 90 lb-ft. If it doesn't move then the VC has dried up and is binding.

Post by **abscate** » 09 Jun 2015, 23:00

Is this the year of the particularly troublesome 4 speed auto transmission?

OP, take heed.

Post by **bskeels** » 09 Jun 2015, 23:33

This is a good place to start.

AWD Info 98-01 Volvo.pdf: (69.83 KiB) Downloaded 362 times

PeterI · Post by **PeterI** » 10 Jun 2015, 13:02

Thanks for info.

pbierre · Post by **pbierre** » 01 Apr 2021, 23:00

If AWD is an important part of your circumstance, be aware that the Haldex units were a big improvement over the earlier viscous coupling AWD. That would weigh in favor a getting a 2004+ XC70 (the '04s were the last year that came with polycarbonate headlamp lenses, which don't show their age).

To test if the prop-shaft is working, lay your camera on the pavement, camera-video shooting upward, and drive the centerline of the car slowly over the camera....you'll see if the shaft is rotating or not.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 02 Apr 2021, 06:22

Damn, nice ressurection of a 6 year thread.

At this age and presumable miles, most AWD systems from the 97-00 range are fried. I took my drive shaft and angle gear out almost 10 years ago and haven't looked back. Only downside is the occasional small dribble of ATF I get from my jury-rigged angle gear spline holder. I will say, having the gear out makes working on this car way easier around the turbo and whatnot.

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befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 02 Apr 2021, 10:39

I have some questions, I have a 98 V70 AWD, my AWD is connected and seems to be functioning, I did these tests when I first got the car. I changed the front CV joint as the boot was torn, but I can drive 70MPH down the highway with no vibration, AWD works as I can do 4WD drifts with quite a bit of throttle input as the grip is amazing with winter tires. MY question is with the one way/centrifugal clutch. Doing the one wheel off the ground, it takes a decent amount of torque to rotate the lifted wheel, I cant turn it quickly, but it smoothly turns, with I would guess over 50ft/lbs of torque. I did the freewheel test that is described in the above document, and that works, but when I changed over to my summer tires, I tried rolling a rear wheel forward with the other 3 off the ground, and it was stiff, just like doing the test for the viscous coupling on the front tires. From what I understand, the rear tires cant drive the front, so if 3 tires were on the ground except for 1 rear wheel, I should be able to freely rotate it forward, but not backwards. I have had this car for 20,000KM, and all have been with AWD except for maybe 8,000KM last summer where I had the shaft removed due to slightly mismatched used summer tires installed.