Is AWD to FWD a good idea?

[tecuya]

I recently got a 2000 Volvo V70 XC AWD, with the 2.4L 5 cylinder turbo engine, and am looking to relocate it from California to Texas, where I won't need the AWD. Back in the day... I'd helped my niece research these vehicles, on this forum, and read @FlyingVolvo to say that viewtopic.php?t=30763#p139894
" -The AWD system is a weak point on this car. At some point the bevel gear and/or drive shaft may/will fail and those are extremely expensive to fix. Most people (myself included) opt to just remove the drive shaft and run the car FWD only. Saves a few MPG and no more worries about broken AWD parts."

Here's a video of the vehicle:

Thanks for your feedback!

[scot850]

You can go to the extreme of removing the angle gear as well and leaving the collar in place. Some have done that with hose pipe clamps. That way you will get rid of basically all of the AWD driveline.

You can go even further as our friend bmdubya did with his V70R and remove the whole rear sub-frame. The only issue with the V70 XC is that the rear hubs are not at the same height as the V70R or V70 AWD so you would end up potentially with the rear sitting lower than the front. To fix that yo would then have to change the FWD or AWD suspension in as well to drop the front.

Then the gearing would require the V70 XC wheels to stay in place as they are a larger diameter.

The bigger issue with the P80 AWD cars is that much of the rear end is unique to the AWD vehicles and much including brakes and rear brake dust shields and many of the bolts, bushes and emissions parts and fuel pipes are NLA.

Neil.

[tecuya]

Thank you @scot850 - I really appreciate your thoughtful reply. My niece had experienced the parts issue - the emissions thing as one example. It runs like a top, other than throwing the emissions code. Thanks again for your feedback!

[foggydogg]

Bought a poorly maintained '98XC ten years ago that was making the Death Rattle from underneath. Took out the driveshaft and put 120k on it without any major problems. Driveshaft is still in the corner of the garage, and the car is resting under the pin oak. I personally never missed having rear traction.

[FlyingVolvo]

You can go to the extreme of removing the angle gear as well and leaving the collar in place. Some have done that with hose pipe clamps. That way you will get rid of basically all of the AWD driveline.

Extreme!

Angle Gear Sleeve Fix.jpg (3.05 MiB) Viewed 3169 times

[scot850]

Thanks Ed! I knew there would be guys out there with this mod! Thanks for sharing.

Neil.

[tecuya]

Thank you @foggydogg / @FlyingVolvo / Ed !
I'll start by just removing the shaft at the allen bolts on the forward side and the same on the rearward end, and if I feel any vibration, I'll get more ambitious and do the hose clamp.
Thanks again, all, I really appreciate the help!

[SirBrickWagon]

first saw this and was unbelievably confused. why would anyone want to take away a feature that's really desirable? but, i remembered not everyone lives in snow-land, and it made a lot of sense once you mentioned repair costs. i'd still say keep it AWD. always nice to have for resale, etc. if it's an easy job, detach the driveshaft and put it back in if and when you decide to sell.

[FlyingVolvo]

first saw this and was unbelievably confused. why would anyone want to take away a feature that's really desirable? but, i remembered not everyone lives in snow-land, and it made a lot of sense once you mentioned repair costs. i'd still say keep it AWD. always nice to have for resale, etc. if it's an easy job, detach the driveshaft and put it back in if and when you decide to sell.

At this point, certain parts like the angle gear and sleeve are hard to find and they are expensive. The first gen AWD systems aren't that great anyway. These cars do pretty well in FWD, especially with snow tires.